The 2024-25 NFL playoff match between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions lived up to the hype. With the two teams starting the season with almost no expectations, they had defied the odds to qualify for the playoffs. And now they stood in each other’s way on the path to the Super Bowl. The match was an end-to-end affair, and the high-scoring clash eventually saw the Commander’s fairytale run continuing with a 45-31 win. However, that meant another familiar hollow end for the Lion’s campaign. It hurt all the more because it was at Ford Field.

The way the Lions lost was the most disappointing of all. When it rains, it pours. And for Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the fumbles and turnovers didn’t stop. Detroit gave up a sizable lead early on and never recovered. Now flip it to the Commanders‘ side. Their quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was practically flawless. The 24-year-old ran the show with clutch plays throughout the match. He made fourth down seem like his comfort zone. And he had something to say after the game.

The 2023 Heisman trophy winner had more Ls to give to the Lions. As if his on-field exploits weren’t enough, the rookie QB was equally wicked on social media, taking a cheeky dig to mock the Lions. One of Daniel’s Instagram stories had a golden retriever dressed up in Lion’s mane as a wig, with the captions: “Dem boys ain’t no lions Dey GOOD BOYSSSS”.

Maybe Daniels was taking a veiled dig about the way the favored Detroit Lions imploded. The Lions never looked likely to catch up all through the tie. Every time the Lions reduced the deficit, the next thing they did was let the Commanders off the hook with some sloppy play. And at the center of it was QB Jared Goff. His Commanders counterpart made sure the Lions paid for it. Eventually, Daniels and his team probably went home thinking ‘That wasn’t so hard’.

But it was supposed to be. Detroit was supposed to be the team to beat. After all, they have played excellent football for the last 24 months. They were practically planning the Championship parade.

Jayden Daniels’ magnificence halts Dan Campbell’s Detroit Juggernaut

How good has Detroit been these last 2 seasons, and even more so this campaign? 15 wins and 2 losses. The team had the Motor City seriously dreaming. Under head coach Dan Campbell, they’ve looked alright. From the gritty determination to grind out the wins to the style and finesse with which the offense operated. The Lions were playing not just like winners, but like champions every fan could love. Campbell had drilled a culture that translated to the Lions going out there to entertain and win. As a result, they claimed back-to-back NFC North Conference titles, having never won it before 2023.

Goff spoke to Nate Davis of USA Today about Campbell’s impact since he took over the Detroit reigns: “He’s our rock, man, he is … We feed off his emotion and his energy. He believes in us, and he loves us, and he cares for us.”

But on Sunday, everything came crashing down, as Jayden Daniels made it his mission to snuff out any hint of chance Detroit had in the game. With 2 touchdowns and 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards, Daniels took the match by the scruff of the neck. He played like a seasoned pro in his element. He didn’t concede a single turnover while Goff gave away 4. Besides that, Daniels rushed for over 50 yards on 16 carries.

Daniels has been a phenomenon all season, passing for more than 5000 yards. With it, he became the rookie with the most offensive yards in the history of the NFL. With such numbers, Jayden didn’t need any favors from the Lions. But he got it. Aplenty. 5 turnovers, a pick-6, and fumbles leading to interceptions. Watching it unfold from the sidelines destroyed Campbell from the inside.

In the end, it will be a match the Lions will look back and say – we choked. And Jayden Daniels made sure the blunders were punished without remorse. To the winner go the spoils… and bragging rights on Instagram.