Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Detroit Lions, became visibly emotional during his postgame press conference following the team’s 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFL Divisional Round. Despite a stellar 15-win season, the Lions, who had the top seed and home-field advantage, fell short in their playoff run.
“I told the team, right now isn’t the time to reflect on the season,” Campbell said. “We can’t think about how many wins we had, or how great the year was. Right now, it’s about the loss. We didn’t get the job done, and that’s what matters.”
Campbell took full responsibility for the loss, admitting the team wasn’t prepared for the crucial game. He also pointed to a key mistake— a penalty for too many players on the field— which allowed the Commanders to extend a drive and ultimately score a decisive touchdown.
Reflecting on the loss, Campbell struggled to articulate his feelings, pointing to a series of unfortunate events, like a sack and turnover early in the game, as part of a “ripple effect” that disrupted their rhythm. “We just didn’t play well,” he said. “I didn’t have them ready. I’ll take the blame for that.”
The pivotal too-many-men penalty came at a crucial moment early in the fourth quarter with the game within reach, allowing the Commanders to score a touchdown and pull away. Campbell didn’t dwell on the specifics but acknowledged the error, calling it his fault. “It’s my fault,” he repeated.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff, clearly emotional himself, praised Campbell’s leadership and how much the coach invests in his players. “He shouldn’t carry all the blame,” Goff said, “but that’s who he is. We feed off his energy and belief
