LANDOVER, Md. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Detroit Lions delivered a commanding performance, routing the Washington Commanders 44-22 on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The Lions, who entered the game as 7.5-point underdogs despite statistical models favoring them, dominated from the opening drive, improving their record to 6-3. Washington’s loss, witnessed by an announced crowd of 64,470, dropped them to 3-7 on the season.

The narrative of the game was written by Detroit’s explosive offense, which operated with ruthless efficiency. Quarterback Jared Goff of Novato, California, was nearly flawless, completing 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. His primary weapon was second-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who turned in a spectacular all-around performance. Gibbs, from Dalton, Georgia, rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while also catching three passes for 30 yards and another two touchdowns.

The Lions set the tone immediately, marching 83 yards on their first possession, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Gibbs. After Washington responded with a 44-yard field goal from Matt Gay, Detroit answered with another methodical drive. This one ended with Goff connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown on a 9-yard scoring strike, giving the Lions a 14-3 lead before the first quarter concluded.

Detroit’s offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter. Gibbs showcased his breakaway speed on a 28-yard run and later powered through the Washington defense for a 13-yard touchdown run. A failed two-point conversion left the score at 20-3. Washington managed to find the end zone late in the half on a 1-yard plunge by running back C. Rodriguez, cutting the deficit to 20-10.

The Lions, however, executed a precise two-minute drill, with Goff completing five passes to set up a 22-yard Jake Bates field goal as time expired in the half, sending Detroit to the locker room with a 25-10 advantage.

Any hope of a Washington comeback was extinguished on Detroit’s first drive of the third quarter. Goff needed just six plays to guide the Lions 72 yards, finishing the series with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, who had a standout day with six receptions for 119 yards. The score pushed the lead to 32-10.

Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota of Honolulu, Hawaii, tried to keep his team in the game, engineering a 13-play, 97-yard drive. He finished it with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel, but a failed two-point conversion kept the margin at 32-16. Detroit responded with another Bates field goal, this time from 28 yards, to make it 35-16 heading into the final period.

The Lions put the game completely out of reach early in the fourth quarter when Gibbs broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run, his third score of the day. A blocked extra point left the score at 41-16.

Washington added a late consolation touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Mariota to tight end Ben Sinnott of Waterloo, Iowa, but another failed two-point conversion left the score at 41-22. Detroit closed the scoring with a 48-yard field goal from Bates to produce the final margin.

While the Lions’ offense stole the show, their defense applied consistent pressure. Safety Brian Branch of Fayetteville, Georgia, recorded 1.5 sacks, while tackle Roy Lopez of Tempe, Arizona, combined with Branch on another sack and finished with five total tackles.

For Washington, Mariota finished 16 of 22 for 213 yards and two touchdowns, adding 22 yards on five rushing attempts. His top targets were tight end Zach Ertz of Alamo, California, who caught four passes for 54 yards, and receiver Treylon Burks of Warren, Arkansas, who had three receptions for 58 yards.

Defensively, the Commanders were led by linebackers Bobby Wagner of Ontario, California, and Frankie Luvu of Tafuna, American Samoa, who combined for 12 tackles, and safety Quan Martin of Lehigh Acres, Florida, who had a game-high nine tackles. The unit, however, had no answer for Detroit’s multifaceted attack.

The Lions will look to build on this decisive victory when they travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday. The Commanders face an international test, heading to Madrid to play the Miami Dolphins.