Lions' Dan Campbell still haunted by Commanders playoff upset

The Washington Commanders are still living in the minds of the Detroit Lions.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts to a play against Buffalo Bills during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders eliminated the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round three months ago, and the defeat still lingers in the mind of head coach Dan Campbell.

Campbell recently spoke about the team's loss to the Commanders and how he hopes to use it as fuel going into next season.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates a first down against Washington Commanders. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lions haunted by Commanders loss

"It doesn't go away, that'll always be there," Campbell said via the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast h/t Detroit Lions On SI contributor Christian Booher.

"No different than what happened the year prior, you use that as motivation, but it's important that it doesn't bury you or that you lose confidence or that you have the fight anymore. It's always there as a motivation. I've got it up on my board and it'll be there all year, and it says, 'You failed, own it.' And what am I gonna do about it, what are we gonna do about it?"

The Commanders and Lions will have a rematch in Landover, Md. in the 2025 season.

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