Commanders in 1st NFC title game since '91, say 'not done yet' - ESPN

DETROIT — After Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin finished his postgame news conference, he stepped away from the podium and let out a yell that for the franchise was 33 years in the making.

«Wooooooo!» McLaurin said, shaking his fists and smiling as he disappeared out the door.

That emotion accompanied Washington's 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions, giving the franchise its first NFC Championship Game berth since the 1991 season. It was the longest drought in the NFC, a dishonor that now belongs to the rival Dallas Cowboys (1995).

«We're not done yet,» McLaurin said.

The joy could be heard inside and outside the Commanders locker room, with dignitaries such as former Washington coach Joe Gibbs, minority shareholder Magic Johnson, NBA star Kevin Durant and award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright all celebrating.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters, in his first season, went around the locker room hugging various players. Co-owner Mitch Rales slapped hands and hugged players as they entered the locker room, sharing a longer embrace with McLaurin.

And co-owner Josh Harris told reporters from the Team 980 and the Athletic that «I'm so happy for the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia]… We're a team of destiny.»

This night belonged to a team that was 4-13 a year ago and now will play either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles in next week's NFC Championship Game. Its fan base has endured not just a bad stretch but a bad couple of decades.

From 1981 to 1991 the organization won three Super Bowls and appeared in a fourth. But from 1992 through 2023, Washington owned the NFC's fourth-worst winning percentage.

«I'm so excited not only for myself but my team, especially the guys that have been