Lions Dominate Commanders 44-22 with Trump in Attendance

UPDATE: The Detroit Lions delivered a stunning 44-22 victory against the injury-riddled Washington Commanders on November 12, 2023, in Landover, MD, with former President Donald Trump making a historic appearance. This matchup marked Trump as the first sitting U.S. president to attend a regular-season NFL game since 1978.

The Lions (6-3) wasted no time, scoring the first 22 points of the game and never looking back. Quarterback Jared Goff shone brightly, completing 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards, including three touchdown passes. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs made a significant impact, scoring three times, including rushing touchdowns of 13 and 43 yards, while accumulating 142 rushing yards on 15 carries.

The Commanders (3-7) struggled throughout the game, missing key players like quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin. With their fifth consecutive loss, Washington’s situation is dire, marking a stark contrast to their previous season’s success, where they went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship.

Despite a coaching shake-up that moved defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. from the booth to the sidelines, the Commanders could not remedy their defensive woes. Goff’s touchdown passes included connections with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who celebrated with a playful “Trump dance,” and Jameson Williams, who had six receptions for 119 yards.

The Lions maintain a remarkable trend under head coach Dan Campbell, who has not lost consecutive games since October 2022. Following last week’s 27-24 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, Campbell took on a more hands-on approach, signaling plays and driving the offense’s tempo.

As the game progressed, the Commanders trailed 32-10 early in the second half, leading fans to exit the stadium before the final whistle. Trump made a brief appearance on the game broadcast before leaving early as well.

Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow in Week 9, sat out again, resulting in Marcus Mariota stepping in as quarterback. Mariota completed 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns but faced a tough challenge without key receiving targets. The Commanders’ defense faced additional blows when Daron Payne was ejected in the first half for unnecessary roughness.

Injuries plagued both teams during the game. The Lions saw center Graham Glasgow and cornerback Terrion Arnold exit with injuries, while the Commanders dealt with multiple player injuries, including cornerback Trey Amos and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr..

Looking ahead, the Commanders will travel to Spain to face the Miami Dolphins next Sunday, while the Lions prepare for a critical matchup against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, scheduled for the same day.

Stay tuned for more updates as both teams navigate through this intense NFL season.