Eric Woodyard
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff says there's some “added motivation” to beat the Commanders after shedding to them within the playoffs final 12 months.
“That is undoubtedly part of it, completely. I feel greater than that, we wish to get off of a shedding streak right here and get a W,” he stated. “Definitely, you are excited about that, however I feel it is 9 video games in the past now.
“So yeah, we're making an attempt to get a win this 12 months and possibly use that as a bit added motivation if we want it.”
The Lions might be out for revenge Sunday at Washington after being surprised within the postseason as the highest seed at dwelling. The Commanders beat them 45-31 within the divisional spherical.
With that loss, Detroit grew to become the primary staff in NFL historical past to lose a playoff sport when having 300-plus passing yards and 200 or extra speeding yards, in addition to the second 15-win staff to lose a playoff opener, together with the 2011 Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg harm final 12 months that had him sidelined for the house postseason loss to Washington, however he stated coach Dan Campbell is utilizing that have to push the group.
“You recognize Dan is utilizing it for motivation, and it is what we're it, however, once more, this can be a new 12 months, and we perceive that process at hand, so we're simply going to arrange the perfect we are able to and provides it the whole lot we have,” Hutchinson stated.
Though the scenario is completely different getting into this 12 months's regular-season matchup, the Lions wish to get that bitter style from falling brief out of their mouths.
The Commanders are probably non-playoff contenders in 2025 who will begin veteran Marcus Mariota at quarterback after second-year signal-caller Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow in opposition to Washington on Sunday night time.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn stated he ought to have eliminated Daniels earlier than the drive that ended with the quarterback getting injured with 7:39 left within the fourth quarter, saying it was “100% on me.”
Nevertheless, Campbell stated he felt for Quinn at that second regardless that they're rivals.
“I feel it is onerous to second-guess that. And I do know hindsight, all this and that. However yeah, I do really feel for him,” Campbell stated. “However I do not really feel like he ought to should really feel that method. Attempt to get your man going again in a rhythm, and it is unlucky. I hate that for JD, man. That is robust. However it's not his fault.”
Detroit has received their final 12 video games following a loss, the longest streak in franchise historical past and tied for the longest streak by any staff during the last 15 seasons, per ESPN Analysis. They'll look to proceed that streak after an upset loss final week at dwelling versus Minnesota.
“I simply wish to see us play our model of soccer for 60 minutes our type,” Campbell stated. “I wish to see us line up, I wish to see the urgency, the depth, I wish to see the main focus, I wish to see the end on the soccer — offense, protection.
“I wish to see our playmakers making performs throughout the scheme, throughout the system. I wish to see our coaches teaching at a excessive stage,” he stated. “I would like us taking part in, teaching on a championship stage. And extra importantly, I wish to play a hell of quite a bit higher than we did final week.”
