Lions OT: Unfair to blame Goff for playoff exit​on January 19, 2025 at 11:36 pm

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Less than 24 hours after experiencing a heartbreaking loss, members of the Detroit Lions reported to the Meijer Performance Center for locker room cleanout Sunday.

All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell was among the players visibly disappointed by the shocking 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders, but he refused to place the blame on one player as he collected his personal items from the season.

After giving the ball away four times, veteran quarterback Jared Goff has taken heavy criticism for the playoff exit, but Sewell wasn’t having it.

“I just don’t understand how a team sport, that people can put a blame on one person at all,” Sewell said of Goff. “It’s not like he’s the one that’s out there by himself. So, I’ll never understand it, but again, that’s not my world and what I pay attention to, but bulls—.”

Detroit earned the No. 1 seed and a postseason bye after a historic season in 2024 where they won a franchise-best 15 games. However, the Lions trailed by 10 at halftime versus the Commanders at home and could never recover.

The Lions became the second 15-win team to lose their playoff opener, joining the 2011 Green Bay Packers.

Goff threw three interceptions, including his first pick-six this season, and lost a fumble. He finished with 23-of-40 passing with 313 yards and a touchdown, but it marked his fourth game this season when he had multiple interceptions. His 30% off-target rate was also his highest in a game this season, per ESPN Research.

“It just sucks. Yeah, I wish I played a little bit better, wish I could have taken care of the ball a little bit better,” Goff said. “Obviously, the pick-six is really the one I’d really like back — that was just a poor decision by me.

“The other ones were just sometimes part of the game, but yeah, it’s on me. I got to take care of it better and certainly would have given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that.”

Many of his teammates, such as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and safety Kerby Joseph, comforted him in the locker room after the upset loss, which Goff said he was thankful for.

“Those guys are my guys, and I love them, and I would do anything for them, and I appreciate them,” Goff said. “Yeah, but I know we’re all disappointed.”

Still, he was upset in his overall playoff performance after experiencing a magical run in the regular season where he helped the franchise set numerous franchise records, including most touchdowns scored.

“Had I played better, do we win? Possibly, and that’s the part that’ll eat me apart for the whole offseason,” Goff said.