Washington shock top-seeded Detroit to reach first NFC title game in 33 years
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Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns in a flawless performance by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders stunned the Detroit Lions 45-31 on Saturday night to reach the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
![[Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders scrambles with the ball as Brian Branch of the Detroit Lions dives to apply pressure during the third quarter of Saturday night’s NFC divisional playoff game.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c6eb283d45248be077303d221641aba635f784cb/0_0_7427_4951/master/7427.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said. The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager.
“I always believed that we could achieve more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said. Detroit, the NFC’s No 1 seed for the first time, doomed their chances by turning it over five times. “If you turn the ball over five times against that team, it is going to be hard to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown. Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in the ill-fated first half.
Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing, and – just as important – didn’t turn the ball over. He became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on 10 January 2009.
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