Less than a day after their 45-31 defeat to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round, the Detroit Lions gathered at the Meijer Performance Center to clear out their lockers. Among those reflecting on the abrupt end to their historic season was All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who expressed his disappointment over the loss.
Despite the team’s crushing defeat, Sewell was quick to stand by quarterback Jared Goff, who faced heavy criticism for his performance. Goff committed four turnovers in the game—three interceptions and a lost fumble—including his first pick-six of the season. Many fans and analysts blamed his mistakes for the Lions’ downfall, but Sewell dismissed the idea of pinning the loss on one individual.
“I just don’t understand how, in a team sport, people can put the blame on one person,” Sewell said. “It’s not like he’s out there by himself. I’ll never understand it, but again, that’s not my world or something I pay attention to—it’s bulls—.”
The loss brought a disappointing end to what had been a historic season for Detroit. The Lions earned the NFC’s top seed with a franchise-best 15-win record, only to become the second team in NFL history to lose their playoff opener after such a season, joining the 2011 Green Bay Packers. The Lions struggled early against Washington, trailing by 10 at halftime, and failed to mount a comeback.
Jared Goff shouldered the blame for his costly mistakes, particularly the pick-six, which he admitted was a bad decision. Despite throwing for 313 yards and a touchdown, his four turnovers overshadowed his performance. Goff acknowledged his role in the defeat and expressed regret for his play.
“It just sucks. I wish I played a little bit better, wish I could’ve taken care of the ball a little bit better,” Goff said. “Obviously, the pick-six is the one I’d really like back—that was just a poor decision by me.”
Even in the wake of the loss, Goff received unwavering support from his teammates. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and safety Kerby Joseph were among those who comforted him, and Goff expressed deep appreciation for their encouragement.
“Those guys are my guys. I love them, and I’d do anything for them. I really appreciate them,” Goff said. “But yeah, we’re all disappointed.”
Looking back on the game, Goff admitted his struggles would weigh on him during the offseason.
“Had I played better, do we win? Possibly. That’s the part that’s going to eat at me all offseason,” he said.
Though the Lions’ playoff journey ended earlier than hoped, their record-setting season demonstrated the resilience and determination of Goff and his teammates. As the team heads into the offseason, they will reflect on this missed opportunity and prepare to return stronger for another postseason run.
