So, there you have it. The underdogs have flipped the script. Washington 45, Detroit 31. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Call them the Cinderella Commanders because this straight-up feels like fairytale stuff. Dan Campbell’s Lions, the 15-2 juggernauts, turned into cubs under the spotlight, undone by a rookie quarterback named Jayden Daniels. Ouch! For a No. 1 seed, this one cuts deep. But hey, Coach Campbell still has the fans behind him, and that counts for something heading into a long offseason.

Now, let’s talk about the flip-side. Good news? Cornerback Amik Robertson is already on the road to recovery after surgery on the broken humerus he suffered during Saturday’s game. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the procedure went smoothly, and he’s expected to be ready for offseason workouts.

A small win in the wake of a crushing loss, but the Lions will take what they can get.

Injuries were a constant thorn in Detroit’s defense all season, and Robertson’s exit early in the Commanders’ beatdown was the final straw. The free-agent pickup had been a standout in the secondary, racking up 50 tackles, eight passes defended, and three forced fumbles. Losing him midway through their season-ending home defeat was salt in the wound.

Things unraveled fast. On a crucial 4th-and-2 in the fourth quarter, Detroit’s defense looked more like a patchwork quilt than an NFL unit. Players like safety Morice Norris, who had just one snap all season, and CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, fresh off the free-agent pile, were thrown into the fire.

The result? A critical penalty for 12 men on the field handed Washington a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, they punched in a touchdown. Game over.

“It’s all my fault. My fault.” Dan Campbell owned the mistake, but the truth is, Detroit’s defense was a skeleton crew by the season’s end. Ten of their 22 preseason defensive two-deep were out with injuries, including Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and Carlton Davis. By the Commanders game, Detroit’s once-formidable D had turned into a revolving door of backups and emergency signings.

The cracks showed… Daniels & Co. exploited each of them mercilessly.

However, even with all those injuries, the Lions refused to lean on excuses. “Injuries aren’t an excuse,” said wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. But the reality? This was a team running on fumes, and the Commanders exposed it.

Now, the Lions face a long offseason of soul-searching. As for Robertson, he is still under contract for another year. So, at least Detroit won’t lose him to free agency. But the challenge now? Picking up the pieces.

Detroit is behind Dan Campbell, but urgency looms for 2025

Dan Campbell is the guy you want in your corner. When he stood at that podium after the Lions’ crushing loss, emotions spilling over, you felt it too. “It just hurts to lose, man,” he admitted. His raw honesty struck a chord, not just with Lions fans but across the league. A Bengals fan on Reddit even said, “Dan Campbell makes me want to run through a brick wall for him, and I’m a Bengals fan.”

If that doesn’t tell you the kind of respect Campbell commands, what will?

Respect does give you confidence, in a way. Campbell knows the freedom that comes with it. But at the same time, there’s a pressure to navigate that freedom and trust because respect doesn’t win games. The Lions fell apart against the Commanders, giving up five turnovers while forcing none. Their defense couldn’t stop Jayden Daniels, who turned Detroit’s dream season into a nightmare.

“We never complemented each other,” Campbell said postgame, with a heavy voice. By the end, even Campbell’s signature grit couldn’t mask the reality: the Lions just weren’t ready.

And here’s the tough pill to swallow—15-2 in 2024, yet no Lombardi Trophy. Sure, back-to-back NFC North titles and a record-shattering 564 points scored sound great. But last season’s heartbreak in the NFC Championship was followed by an earlier playoff exit this year. For fans, the numbers don’t lie: progress feels stagnant when the ultimate goal stays out of reach.

If the Lions are climbing, why does it feel like they’re stuck on the same rung?

And now, the offseason storm begins. OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn are likely headed for head coaching gigs elsewhere. Johnson’s high-octane offense has been the Lions’ heartbeat, while Glenn turned a patchwork defense into something that could compete—until injuries took their toll. Losing both would feel like ripping the spine out of this team.

Yet, this team isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about culture. Campbell’s Lions embody grit, toughness, and a swagger Detroit hasn’t seen in decades. Back-to-back NFC North titles? Fifteen wins in 2024? These are franchise-firsts. But even records and swagger can’t soothe the sting of what might have been.