Lions' Penei Sewell - Unfair to blame Jared Goff for playoff exit - ESPN

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.

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