“Why do we fall, Bruce? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.” Our “Bruce” in this case is actually “Dan.” And someone needs to stand beside and whisper these lines to the HC after the Lions‘ devastating defeat on Saturday. When the stakes are sky-high, every mistake feels monumental. And those moments hit even harder for Detroit HC Dan Campbell. The Lions’ 45-31 divisional-round loss to the Commanders left him in a bad place. But Campbell remained true to his character. And he didn’t shy away from accountability.

Campbell was visibly shaken and struggling to hold back tears during his post-game press conference. “It’s my fault… My fault. It’s my fault,” Campbell repeated. As he placed the blame squarely on his shoulders. His emotions mirrored the heartbreak of a franchise that saw a historic 15-2 season come to a crashing halt. The Lions were once brimming with Super Bowl hopes. But they were out-coached and outplayed on their home turf.

The game spiraled out of control early. Detroit’s injury-depleted defense couldn’t contain Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels. The breakout star QB orchestrated a commanding 28-point second quarter. Meanwhile, Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense committed five turnovers—FIVE! That’s correct. Four of which occurred while the game was still within reach.

Dan Campbell’s emotional response underscored the toll of the loss. He was fighting back tears. But he praised his players’ resilience through a grueling season. “What they put into it. A lot of people don’t know what they go through,” he said. “You have to get up, bodies beat to sh*t. You know, mentally stay locked in and do those things. Long season.” But his frustration with the team’s performance and his own role in it was palpable.

The backbreaking moment came on a critical fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter. Detroit was trailing 31-28 at that point. A 12-men-on-the-field penalty gave the Commanders a fresh set of downs at the Lions’ 2-yard line. Washington capitalized. They scored a touchdown two plays later. “At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready,” Campbell admitted post-game.

A season of triumph ends in agony

The Lions had soared to new heights in 2024. Their 15 regular-season wins marked a franchise record. Moreover, they entered the postseason as the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time. Home-field advantage and a first-round bye added to the weight of expectations. But Saturday’s loss overshadowed their accomplishments.

Detroit’s defense surrendered 481 yards. Meanwhile, Goff struggled with turnovers. He threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. “Unfortunate, obviously. It sucks,” Goff said. “You hate it when you feel like you let guys down. You want to win these types of games at home.” Campbell declined to reflect on the Lions’ season during the press conference.

The HC insisted it wasn’t the right time. “The whole point of doing what you do is to get to the show, man. It’s why you play this game, and we fell short. Short,” he said. Questions about their ability to rebound loom large as the Lions turn to the 2025 offseason. Staying healthy will be key. But so will addressing gaps in depth. Because the loss exposed critical weaknesses in Detroit’s injury-hit roster.

Dan Campbell’s unwavering accountability may serve as a rallying point for the team. Goff acknowledged the emotional foundation Campbell provides. “That’s who he is, and we feed off his emotion, his energy, and he believes in us, and he loves us, and he cares for us,” Goff said.

Detroit must now regroup and recalibrate its pursuit of a Super Bowl. The sting of this loss will linger. But the foundation of a 15-win team remains intact. Can they get over the hump next season? The hope for Lions fans is that this heartbreak fuels their hunger rather than extinguishing it. After all, every champion has setbacks. Setbacks they endure to learn to pick themselves up.