The Detroit Lions, riding high after a stellar regular season, saw their playoff dreams come to an abrupt end with a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders. While Washington played a strong and disciplined game, many are wondering if the Lions' defeat was influenced by distractions off the field—specifically, their coordinators being courted for head coaching jobs.
Leading up to the game, the Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were both hot topics in NFL coaching circles. Reports of interviews and interest from other teams surfaced during the crucial preparation week. While these opportunities highlight their talent and leadership, the timing couldn’t have been worse for Detroit.
The Lions’ offense, usually one of the league’s most dynamic and explosive units, seemed unusually flat against the Commanders. Ben Johnson’s play-calling, which had been a key to their success all season, appeared conservative in critical moments. Detroit struggled to capitalize on red zone opportunities and committed costly turnovers. With the pressure of head coaching interviews looming, did Johnson have enough bandwidth to craft a winning strategy?
On defense, Aaron Glenn’s unit had trouble stopping Washington’s methodical drives. The Commanders converted key third downs, controlled the clock, and found ways to exploit gaps in the Lions’ defense. A crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed Detroit’s fate. While Glenn’s defense had improved steadily during the season, the performance against Washington left many questioning whether distractions off the field impacted the preparation and execution.
The Lions' loss has reignited the debate over whether NFL rules should limit head coaching interviews during the playoffs. Detroit fans, who have endured years of mediocrity, saw a golden opportunity slip away.
Despite the heartbreak, Detroit’s future remains bright. With talented coordinators, an emerging star quarterback, and a well-rounded roster, the Lions are poised to return stronger next season. But this loss will serve as a lesson: distractions, no matter how promising, can derail even the most talented teams when the stakes are high.
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Source: Dan Lalonde
Photo Credit: AI/NFL
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