The Detroit Lions’ offense came into Week 10 needing a big shot in the arm on offense after three sluggish games on that side of the ball.
With Lions coach Dan Campbell reportedly taking over play calling—or at least having a much bigger influence on that part of the game—Detroit did just that against the Washington Commanders. The Lions offense exploded for a season-high 546 yards on their way to a 44-22 victory. Detroit scored on each of their first eight drives of the game, their run game (over 200 yards) was back, and the Lions also managed to get Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond involved after slow starts to the season.
This was the first time since Week 2’s beatdown of the Chicago Bears that Detroit’s offense looked like it did back in 2024. And if it can continue this way, the Lions may be all the way back.
Here’s a full recap of Lions vs. Commanders, with a ton of offensive highlights.
First quarter
The Lions won the toss and deferred, giving Marcus Mariota and the Commanders offense the ball first. Washington didn’t hold the ball long, as coverage was perfect on third-and-2, forcing a quick three-and-out on defense.
Detroit, meanwhile, marched right down the field. A nice combo of run and pass worked to move them into Commanders’ territory. Jameson Williams made a key 14-yard catch on a third-and-5. Two plays later, Goff found Jahmyr Gibbs on a Texas route for a 14-yard touchdown. 7-0 Lions.
Detroit’s special teams continued its struggles by giving up a kick return to the Commanders’ 48-yard line. Washington was able to drive into field goal position, but tight coverage from the Lions’ defense forced a 44-yard attempt. Matt Gay drilled it to make it 7-3 Lions.
The Lions offense went right back to work with a 17-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 12-yard run to David Montgomery. But on the Montgomery run, Penei Sewell got rolled up on and had to be escorted off the field. He went straight to the medical tent on the sidelines. He would return on the next possession.
But that didn’t slow the Lions’ offense. Detroit converted a pair of third downs—a third-and-7 to Sam LaPorta, and a third-and-8 to St. Brown for a 9-yard touchdown! 14-3 Lions.
Washington couldn’t respond. Though Mariota completed a 17-yard pass to midfield, Brian Branch ended the drive with a 13-yard sack on a third-and-10—the final play of the first quarter.
Second quarter
Starting at their own 13-yard line, the Lions found the end zone for the third straight drive, highlighted by big plays from Jahmyr Gibbs. He started off with runs of 10 yards and this big run of 27.
Then, in the red zone, Gibbs broke a tackle in the backfield, charged downfield, and was escorted into the end zone for an impressive 13-yard touchdown run. Commanders DT Da’Ron Payne was ejected on the play, so the Lions went for two and converted with Montgomery to make it 22-3 Lions.
The Commanders finally answered, thanks to a deep shot to Jaylin Lane for 44 yards.
In the red zone, the Commanders faced a fourth-and-1 and converted with a pass to Zach Ertz down to Detroit’s 6-yard line, despite taking a big shot from Avonte Maddox. Two plays later, the Commanders plunged into the end zone to make it 22-10 Lions with 3:39 remaining in the half.
Detroit opened the next possession with an 18-yard strike to Kalif Raymond. After a short run by Montgomery, center Graham Glasgow went down and was replaced by Trystan Colon. Glasgow was listed as questionable to return with a back injury. He would return in the second half.
At the two-minute warning, the Lions faced a big fourth-and-1 from the Commanders’ 41-yard line. Goff found LaPorta for 14 yards to keep the drive alive.
After a pair of screen passes went for 0 yards, it set up a third-and-long for Detroit. Goff went to LaPorta again, who picked up 9 yards—giving Detroit another fourth down opportunity. Again, the Lions converted with Goff connecting with Raymond down to the Commanders’ 8-yard line.
But on third-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Goff hurried the ball to St. Brown and couldn’t connect. Detroit had to settle for a field goal to make it 25-10 Lions at halftime.
Terrion Arnold left the game early and was later declared out with a concussion.
Third quarter
The Lions offense—with Glasgow back in at center—went right back to work to start the second half. They got several explosive plays to get down into the red zone:
- 22-yard pass to Jameson Williams
- 14-yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs
- 11-yard pass to Jameson Williams
- 14-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams
And just like that, the Lions’ lead was back up to 32-10 Lions less than three minutes into the half.
The Commanders would answer to keep this a game. Mariota connected with Treylon Burks for 38 yards with Rock Ya-Sin in coverage. Then, on a fourth-and-2 in the red zone, the Lions had a coverage bust, and Deebo Samuel was wide open for a 4-yard touchdown. The Commander went for two and failed to keep it 32-16 Lions.
The Lions immediately answered with a big play to Jameson Williams for 41 yards.
After hitting Williams again for 17 yards to get into the red zone, the Lions’ offense stalled and had to settle for a short field goal to make it 35-16 Lions with 2:30 left.
Washington followed with a three-and-out. Brian Branch picked up a sack on first down, and Arthur Maulet closed out the drive with a picture-perfect pass breakup on a pass intended for Samuel.
The final play of the third quarter was a pass to St. Brown that moved Detroit to their own 35-yard line and gave the offense a new set of downs.
Fourth quarter
Jahmyr Gibbs would close out the game early in the fourth quarter with this 44-yard run to make it 41-16 Lions (extra point blocked)—with Detroit now scoring on all seven of their first drives.
Washington’s receivers made some impressive plays on the next drive. Zach Ertz hauled in a 30-yard pass with a defender draped on him, and Deebo Samuel converted a fourth-and-5 with a 19-yard pickup despite tight coverage from Maulet. The Commanders eventually scored on a pass to Ben Sinnott to make it 41-22 Lions (two-point conversion failed) with just under seven minutes left.
Washington tried an onside kick, but Lions safety Daniel Thomas recovered. From there, backup quarterback Kyle Allen took over, essentially marking the end of the game. Bates would tack on another field goal to make it 44-22 Lions.
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