Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels stunned top-seed Detroit Lions as the Commanders reached their first NFC title game in 33 years at Ford Field in Michigan.
Daniels threw for two touchdowns and fellow rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions – dazzling performances that sent the Lions to an early playoff exit.
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favourites (15-3), who doomed their chances of living up to expectations by turning the ball over five times.
Sainristil, who won a national title at Michigan last season, picked off his second pass on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter.
Safety Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to put Washington ahead 24-14.
Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in the ill-fated first half. He finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their last lead midway through the second quarter.
Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing and became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee in 2009.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders rallied past Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback win and fifth straight on the final play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime.
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – to take a 31-21 lead at halftime.
Daniels had 242 yards passing in the first half, setting a rookie record one week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in yards rushing and passing in a playoff win.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled in a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the first quarter and Washington took advantage.
Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive capped by Robinson’s two-yard touchdown run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ touchdown throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended target and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14. Goff took a hit from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
Detroit’s defense could not stop the Commanders all night, and Washington set a season-high in points.
The Lions started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and going 76 yards on 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ eight-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.
Washington will play the winner of Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles game next Sunday on the road for a spot in the Super Bowl, live on Sky Sports NFL.
