Teddy Bridgewater and Marcus Mariota square off in the NFC divisional round – who would have thought?
The former, fresh off a state championship as head coach of his high school in January, has not thrown a pass in the NFL in 748 days.
However, Bridgewater doesn't seem to have lost a step.
The veteran signal-caller found himself in the thick of the action for a short time Saturday night after Jared Goff took an ugly hit on the previous drive in the second quarter of the Lions' 45-31 upset loss to the Chiefs.
Bridgewater's tenure was very short, if only because the Lions reached the end zone in just three plays.
Bridgewater lined up under center at Washington's 27-yard line with his team trailing by 10 points, and he hit Jahmir Gibbs on a quick route for a three-yard touchdown.
The play seemed to have inspired enough confidence in coach Dan Campbell that, fresh off a set of downs, he delivered a play full of Detroit's signature tricks.
Bridgewater took the snap and handed the ball off to Gibbs, who charged just a foot or two toward the line of scrimmage before cutting the pigskin to third-year receiver Jameson Williams, who was running full speed behind him.
Williams turned the corner at his end and never looked back.
He never looked back, that is, until he was about 20 yards from the end zone; Williams' celebrations started very early.
61 yards before being tipped into the end zone for the score. X/NFL
Bridgewater joined in the celebration in the end zone. Three plays, 73 yards, and suddenly it was a three-point game.
Until it wasn't.
Jayden Daniels and company went right back down the field and stormed 70 yards in seven plays to push the lead to 10.
Goff was able to get back into the game on the next drive, and with time ticking down in the first half, he drove the Lions 40 yards down the field before throwing an interception while looking for Williams in the Leaders' end zone.
Washington took a 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime and didn't look back.
