Jan. 19, 2026, 4:04 a.m. ET

It was the NFL’s Divisional Playoff round this weekend, and the Washington Commanders were sitting at home.

What a difference a single year makes, huh? In 2024, the Commanders were coming off a horrible 4-13 season in which Ron Rivera was fired, marking the end of the coach-centered approach. Only one year later, the Commanders surprised the NFL, the fan base, and, if honest, themselves, racing to a 12-5 record, and winning in the Wild Card round in overtime when kicker Zane Gonzalez doinked his field goal attempt off of the left upright, bouncing the Commanders ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20.

One year ago today, January 18, 2025, the NFL Divisional Round saw the Commanders travel to Detroit to face the NFC No. 1 seed Lions. The Lions were understandably a 9.5 point favorite. With the Lions rested from having a Wild Card Round bye and earning the top seed at 15-2, this was not expected to be much of a contest.

The Commanders’ defense had not stopped any good offensive team all season, so why would they stop the Lions’ high-powered offense? No, the Commanders’ defense didn’t stop the Lions either, surrendering a whopping 521 yards to the Lions’ offense.

However, what was unexpected was the Commanders’ defense forced five turnovers, and the offense didn’t turn the football over a single time. Consequently, though the Commanders gave up 521 yards and ended five Lions’ possessions with turnovers, they won the turnover battle 5-0, shocking the Lions with a 45-31 upset win in Detroit.

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How much difference does a year make? For starters, of the eight teams in the divisional round in 2024 only four played in the 2025 divisional round. In 2024 the qualifiers were the Commanders, Lions, Rams and Eagles in the NFC. The AFC qualifying teams were Texans, Chiefs, Ravens and Bills.

The Commanders, in particular, turned their 12-5 2024 season entirely upside down, finishing 5-12 in 2025. The season even included an embarrassing eight-game losing streak, where they often lost lopsided games.

Yes, what a difference a year makes. Here’s to hoping next season will be just as different as this season.