The Detroit Lions most recently lost in the playoffs to the Washington Commanders, 45–31, in the NFC Divisional Round following their 2024 season.

Quick Scoop

In that 2024 postseason run, Detroit entered as one of the NFC’s top teams after a franchise‑best regular-season record, but their defense struggled badly in that Divisional Round matchup, and Washington pulled off the upset with a high-scoring offensive performance. The loss ended what had been one of the Lions’ most promising seasons in decades and is still a major talking point among fans when they look back at “the one that slipped away.”

Many Lions fans describe that Commanders game as the moment a potential Super Bowl run evaporated, given how strong Detroit had looked all year leading up to that upset.

TL;DR: The Lions’ latest playoff loss was to the Washington Commanders in a 45–31 upset in the NFC Divisional Playoffs after the 2024 regular season.

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