After Washington was limited to a three-and-out on their opening drive, the Lions marched down the field on 10 plays and took the lead with a 14-yard touchdown from Gibbs. The Commanders, helped by a 46-yard return from Noah Igbinoghene, responded with a field goal, but the Lions fired back with a nine-play drive covering 65 yards. This time, it was Amon-Ra St. Brown who found the end zone, diving across the goal line for an eight-yard score.
The Lions were back in the end zone on their next possession with a 28-yard run from Gibbs and a 13-yard catch by Kalif Raymond. Gibbs then powered through multiple Commanders defenders to put the Lions up 21-3. Daron Payne, who committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the score, was ejected from the game.
Washington found a spark late in the first half that kept them in the game. Mariota connected with Jaylin Lane on a 41-yard catch, and a five-yard run from Deebo Samuel moved the ball to the Lions' 1-yard line. Rodriguez finished the drive with the one-yard score, and the defense managed to force a field goal attempt from Detroit to make the score 25-10 at halftime.
However, Detroit didn't lose a step in the third quarter and moved 72 yards downfield on five plays. Jared Goff, who had 320 yards for the night, opened things up with a 22-yard pass to Williams. Another reception by Williams moved the ball to the 14-yard line, and a third by the receiver finished the drive in the end zone.
Mariota and the Commanders responded with another explosive play -- this time on a 37-yard catch from Treylon Burks. Four plays later, Mariota connected with Samuel, who was wide open in the end zone for the score on fourth-and-3.
Gibbs' third touchdown made the score 41-16 to start the fourth quarter. Mariota's last drive of the night ended with another touchdown, as he completed a four-yard pass to Ben Sinnott on second-and-goal. The Lions tacked on another field goal at the end of the fourth quarter, and Washington, now with Josh Johnson in at quarterback, punted the ball away after another three-and-out.
Washington is now set to travel to Spain for a matchup with the Miami Dolphins before heading into their bye week. Kickoff for the international game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 16.