After the Detroit Lions’ surprising 45-31 playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, offensive tackle Penei Sewell defended quarterback Jared Goff, rejecting the notion that Goff should bear the blame alone. Sewell emphasized that football is a team sport, and every player shares responsibility for the outcome, not just one individual. His comments underline the team’s collective approach in the face of adversity.
Goff had a challenging game, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, contributing to the team’s five turnovers. However, Sewell expressed frustration with the idea of singling out one player for the loss. He pointed out that it was a team effort, and it’s unfair to place the blame on Goff. “I don’t understand how a team sport can blame one person,” Sewell said, indicating his strong belief that responsibility should be shared among all players.
The Lions, who had a historic 15-win season, were knocked out of the playoffs with the disappointing loss. Despite earning the No. 1 seed and a bye, they struggled in the first half, trailing by 10 points. Goff’s performance included a pick-six and multiple interceptions, marking one of his worst games of the season. This was his fourth game with multiple interceptions and the highest off-target rate of the year.
Goff took full responsibility for his performance, admitting that his mistakes, particularly the pick-six, were costly. “I wish I played a little bit better, wish I could have taken care of the ball better,” Goff said, acknowledging that his poor decisions hurt the team’s chances. Despite his regrets, he expressed a sense of responsibility for the outcome and knew that his performance could have been better.
Despite the tough loss, Goff received support from his teammates, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and safety Kerby Joseph, who comforted him after the game. Goff appreciated their encouragement, noting the strong bond within the team. He also reflected on his strong regular season, where he helped the Lions set franchise records, but remained disappointed with his playoff performance, knowing that a better showing might have given the team a chance to win. “That’ll eat me apart for the whole offseason,” Goff said.
