Commanders lose to Lions 36-27 after struggling to overcome slow start
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass for a touchdown as John Cominsky #79 of the Detroit Lions attempts to block during the third quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michiga
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Jared Goff threw two of his four touchdown passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown, lifting the Detroit Lions to a 36-27 win over Washington on Sunday.
Aidan Hutchinson had three sacks in the first half to help the Lions (1-1) lead 22-0 at halftime, and Will Harris had an interception in the second half to stunt the Commanders (1-1) as they tried to rally.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions passes the ball while under pressure from Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by
Washington made adjustments to give Carson Wentz more time in the second half. Wentz took advantage, pulling his team within seven points in the third quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel, a 20-yard pass to Logan Thomas and 2-point conversion to rookie Jahan Dotson.
Detroit restored its cushion when Goff converted a third down by barely getting a pass off under pressure to D’Andre Swift, who slipped to the turf before regaining his footing and cutting across the field for a 22-yard touchdown.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Curtis Samuel #10 and Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders celebrate after a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by G
Washington went for it on fourth-and-1 from its 26 on the ensuing possession and Terry McLaurin made the gamble pay off with 7 yards on an end-around. The speedy receiver converted a third down later in the drive with a 17-yard catch that helped set up Antonio Gibson’s 1-yard run.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera went for a 2-point conversion and Wentz was picked off, allowing Detroit to keep an eight-point lead.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Jahan Dotson #1 of the Washington Commanders reacts after making a catch for a two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo
Goff’s threw an 11-yard touchdown to St. Brown on the ensuing drive, giving Detroit a 36-21 lead.
Wentz connected with Dotson for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:56 left and Joey Slye missed the extra point to the right, allowing the Lions to lead by nine and raising more questions about Rivera’s decision to go for a 2-point conversion.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders passes the ball against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Slye’s onside kick went about 5 yards, ending Washington’s slim chance to come back against a team that was favored to win earlier in the week for the first time since late in the 2020 season.
In a matchup of the top two picks from the 2016 draft, Goff outplayed Wentz.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions and Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders embrace after the game at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Detroit’s quarterback was 20 of 34 for 256 yards with four touchdowns. Wentz completed 30 of 46 passes for 337 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, leading an offense that didn’t have a first down until its sixth possession.