Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs after a surprising defeat to the Washington Commanders on Saturday.
Dan Campbell’s wife shared her heartbreak after the Detroit Lions’ unexpected exit from the NFL Playoffs at the hands of the Washington Commanders.
The Lions, who entered the game as the NFC’s top seed, fell 45-31 to the No. 6-seeded Commanders during the Divisional Round. Despite a stellar 15-2 regular season record, the Lions stumbled at Ford Field against rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Following the loss, Campbell took responsibility, and his wife, Holly, posted an emotional message on Instagram. “It hurts,” she wrote, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. “This season was a dream, and nobody wanted it to end. We all wanted more.”
The Commanders, having already upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit, are set to face the No. 2-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. The victor will play either the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl LIX.
Since becoming Detroit’s head coach in January 2021, Campbell has revitalized the franchise. Last season, the Lions won their first playoff game in 32 years, defeating the Rams and Buccaneers to reach the NFC Championship.
A heartbreaking 34-31 loss to the 49ers dashed their Super Bowl hopes a year ago, but Detroit responded with a dominant 15-win season, earning the NFC’s top seed for the first time. However, their playoff run ended abruptly against Washington.
Campbell was visibly dejected after the game, admitting, “They earned that win, and we didn’t… It’s my fault. It’s my fault.”
He continued, “After a loss like this, I love and respect my guys for everything they’ve given, but this isn’t the time to celebrate the season. The goal is to get to the show, and we fell short. I didn’t have them ready.”
Now, the Lions will regroup during the offseason with hopes of returning stronger. Although Detroit has won four championships, their last title came in 1957.
The Lions remain the only NFL franchise to have never appeared in a Super Bowl, leaving their pursuit of the Vince Lombardi Trophy unfinished.
