The Detroit Lions absolutely came apart at the seams during the divisional round game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, with self-inflicted wounds running rampant in the losing effort.
The Lions committed four turnovers through three-plus quarters, one of which was returned for a pick-six. Another one of those turnovers came on what was one of the worst play calls you will ever see.
With the Lions trailing 38-28 early in the fourth quarter and desperately needing a touchdown drive, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson decided not to put the ball in the hands of his quarterback, but rather his wide receiver.
That’s right, Johnson dialed up a passing play for wide receiver Jameson Williams, who threw a terrible pass that was picked off by the Commanders’ defense. That essentially sealed the deal for Washington’s victory.
THAT’S 2 FOR @MikeSainristil❕
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
I mean, it just doesn’t get any worse than that. Johnson has been great with trick plays this season, but there’s a time and place for them, and that was not the time nor the place. Just a terrible decision on Johnson’s part.
After the play, Johnson was absolutely shredded for his terrible decision.
“Sorry, but Jameson Williams isn’t throwing the ball with my season on the line, brother. Zero chance,” NFL analyst Jon Ledyard wrote. “That is one of the dumbest calls I’ve ever seen.”
“Down 38-28, on biggest drive of the season, they call that,” Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com wrote. “Ben Johnson just lost the Vegas job.”
“Glad Ben Johnson had that endless trick play bag that everyone swore to me he had, when I naively wondered why he’d run so many great ones in blowouts,” FS1’s Nick Wright said. “Turns out, the ‘reverse into WR pass’ was saved just for this moment… to end the Lions season.”
“Season over. Fire Ben Johnson before you even get to the locker room,” one Lions fan wrote.
Johnson is expected to land a head-coaching gig after this season. This would be a terrible way to go out.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Lions fans explode for David Montgomery’s pregame introduction
Jahmyr Gibbs breaks Lions playoff record with TD vs. Commanders
Amik Robertson injury update: Latest news on Lions cornerback
