The Detroit Lions bounced back from their previous loss, delivering a commanding 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes while rookie Jahmyr Gibbs scored three times to lead the team in front of a notable guest, President Donald Trump, who attended the game.
This match marked a significant occasion as Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a regular-season NFL game since 1978. The Lions set the tone early, scoring the first 22 points and maintaining their lead throughout. With this win, the Lions improved their record to 6-3, while the Commanders fell to 3-7, suffering their fifth consecutive defeat.
The Commanders were without key players, including injured quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, which contributed to their struggles. In a bid to address defensive issues, Washington moved defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. from the booth to the sidelines, but the change did little to alter the outcome as they struggled to contain the Lions” offense.
Goff completed 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards, with no interceptions. His touchdown passes were thrown to Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who celebrated with a unique “Trump dance,” and Jameson Williams. Gibbs contributed significantly with scoring runs of 13 and 43 yards, finishing the game with 15 carries for a total of 142 yards. Williams also stood out, recording six receptions for 119 yards.
This victory continued a remarkable trend for the Lions under head coach Dan Campbell, as they have not lost consecutive games since a five-game losing streak that ended in October 2022. After a disappointing performance in the previous week”s narrow loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Campbell took a more active role in play-calling, holding a play sheet and frequently communicating with his players during drives.
As the Lions led 32-10 early in the second half, it was evident that the Commanders were unable to compete. Fans began to exit the stadium early, including Trump, who made a brief appearance during the game broadcast. The Commanders” replacement quarterback, Marcus Mariota, filled in for Daniels, completing 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns in a challenging situation without several key receiving targets.
The game saw some injuries as well; defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected for unnecessary roughness in the first half. The Lions also faced some injury concerns, with Graham Glasgow leaving the game due to a back issue and cornerback Terrion Arnold exiting with a concussion.
Looking ahead, the Commanders will travel to Spain to face the Miami Dolphins next Sunday, while the Lions will head to Philadelphia to play against the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles. This matchup is anticipated to be a test for both teams as they aim to solidify their positions in the league.
