If I had a nickel for every time a Detroit football team lost in disappointing fashion to a Washington-based team in the playoffs in 2025, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
The Michigan Panthers of the United Football League shared a similar fate as the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. The Lions, winners of the NFC’s top seed, fell to the Washington Commanders in a playoff letdown. The Panthers, meanwhile, lost to the DC Defenders in the UFL’s championship showdown, getting demolished to the tune of 58-34.