By LARRY LAGE

DETROIT – Jayden Daniels threw two touchdowns in a flawless performance Washington's dazzling rookieand the Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 on Saturday night to succeed in the NFC championship game for the primary time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.

“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.

The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame their doubts, as they’ve done all season with a rookie quarterback, a brand new coach and a general manager did.

“I've always believed we can accomplish more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.

Detroit, the NFC's No. 1 seed for the primary time, killed its possibilities by turning it over five times.

“If you turn the ball over five times against this team, it’s going to be hard to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throw into cover from a reverse gear within the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.

Former Cal star Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over thrice within the ill-fated first half.

Daniels finished the sport with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing and, just as importantly, he didn't turn the ball over.

He became the second rookie quarterback to defeat a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.

“Nothing surprises me with him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who converted a brief pass from Daniels right into a 58-yard touchdown.

First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders overtook Tampa Bay for his or her sixth comeback win and fifth straight on the ultimate play of the sport, whether in regulation or additional time.

The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn't allow Detroit to remain so close.

“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They deserved the game, we didn’t.”

Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 within the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – and took a 31-21 halftime lead.

Daniels had 242 yards passing in the primary half, setting a rookie record, every week after becoming the primary rookie to guide his team to a playoff victory in yards rushing and passing.

The former LSU star, who was the No. 2 overall pick, was 22 of 31, including the long on-screen touchdown to McLaurin and a 5-yard rating for Zach Ertz within the second quarter.

Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Goff finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead midway through the second quarter.

Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.

Goff fumbled a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the primary quarter and Washington took advantage.

Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to increase a drive capped by Robinson's 2-yard touchdown run.

Three snaps after Daniels' TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended goal and Martin intercepted it and took it into the tip zone, giving the Commanders a 24-14 lead. Goff was hit on an interception return by linebacker Frankie Luvu and was evaluated for a concussion.

With backup Teddy Bridgewater at center, Williams scored on a 61-yard return.

However, Detroit's defense couldn't hold off the Commanders all night. Washington set a season high in points.

The Lions had a probability to scale back the deficit in the ultimate minute of the primary half, but Goff's omit deep center was deflected by Sainristil ultimately zone.

Detroit began the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the primary time after which went 76 yards in 11 plays on the following drive, capped by Gibbs' 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.

However, the Lions didn't skimp on defense for long.

Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – prolonged by Detroit having 12 men on the sector when it faced fourth-and-2 from its 5 – and Robinson's second short touchdown run restored the Commanders' 10-point lead.

Injuries

Commanders: OG Sam Cosmi was injured on Robinson's go-ahead touchdown early within the second quarter. His right leg bent awkwardly and he hobbled off the sector.

Lions: CB Amik Robertson (elbow) was injured on Washington's second snap. … OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and backup DL Pat O'Connor (calf) were inactive.

Next

Washington will play on the road next Sunday against the winner of Sunday's game Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles for a spot within the Super Bowl.

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Follow Larry Lage athttps://apnews.com/author/larry-lage

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Originally published: January 18, 2025 at 9:17 pm PST

By Lisa Wells

Viewing lights and decorations is a treasured tradition within the anticipation of Christmas, especially because the decorations appear to develop into more elaborate and fantastical annually. If you're in search of essentially the most impressive light displays, these cities are top destinations for magnificent Christmas decorations.

Evergreen trees, festive music, good food, colourful lights – the sights of the vacations bring cheer as Christmas approaches. Outdoor light displays with fairy lights, bouncy castles and even music might be the final word holiday wonderland.

These locations, from cities to local organizations to neighborhoods, offer stunning presentations. Incorporate them into your December road trip or family visit. Remember to wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and treat yourself to a cup of it hot cocoa for the proper lighting experience.

Light plays within the south

Although there might not be much snow, cities across the South offer some incredible light shows to get you within the mood for the vacations. Check out these destinations with beach festivals, Santa visits and more.

Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights

Charleston hosts an award-winning light show and festival at James Island County Park. In 2024, they’ll host the thirty fifth annual Christmas Festival of Lights with New Year's Eve fireworks displays every evening.

Throughout the park you'll find 3 miles of lights arranged in 750 displays. Check these out Charleston Christmas Lights As you drive through the festival, park the automobile and ride the Festival Express train for one more view.

In addition to the lights, it’s also possible to visit Santa Claus, view giant greeting cards designed by local schools, or view the 50-ton sand sculpture. End the evening with s'mores sets and roasted marshmallows across the campfire.

St. Augustine Nights of Lights

The St. Augustine Beaches are a terrific escape from the winter blues throughout the day, however the nights in St. Augustine are also stuffed with happiness. During the vacation season, America's oldest city is decorated with hundreds of thousands of white lights, making a sparkling Christmas spectacle.

Nights of Lights occur throughout the vacation season and into January. Listed as considered one of the highest 10 holiday displays by National Geographic, you’ll be able to see the lights on foot, by train, or by tram. You can even book a ship trip to see town from the water, or take a carriage ride through the historic streets and luxuriate in the Old World charm.

Christmas lights on the beach

The annual Holiday Lights on the Beach is an exciting, family-friendly lights tour on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Since it's situated right on the ocean, most of the exhibits are beach-themed, making for a fun change of pace on vacation. You'll cruise past colourful exhibits featuring swimming fish, nautical displays, a browsing Santa Claus, and a 40-foot-tall dancing Christmas tree. It is the one time of 12 months that vehicles can travel on the oceanfront boardwalk.

The show also includes the longest curved LED light tunnel within the United States. “The event combines the magic of the holidays with the beauty of the Virginia Beach coastline, creating an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors,” said Nancy Helman, director of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Christmas lights in New York City

New York City is all the time shiny, but for a special vacation experience, head to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. Since the Nineteen Eighties, homes on this neighborhood have featured remarkable light displays, from classic fairy lights to music-synchronized shows to a house famously nicknamed “Christmas meets Las Vegas.” Visiting Dyker Lights has develop into a well-liked option to explore Brooklyn throughout the holiday season.

Take a walk across the neighborhood or take a bus tour and have a guided experience. Tours often concentrate on local history and neighborhood stories, making a festive evening stuffed with holiday cheer. Other must-see exhibits in town include the enduring Rockefeller Center tree and the Winter Village in Bryant Park.

Magical winter lights in Houston

Held on the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Magical Winter Lights is an interactive light spectacle featuring greater than 60 lanterns. You will run through scenes similar to the dinosaur kingdom, the ocean and space, all created from twinkling lights.

After exploring the lanterns, visitors can explore quite a lot of rides, including a powerful 87-foot-tall gondola Ferris wheel, in addition to attractions for young children and adventure seekers. Enjoy carnival favorites and live entertainment, including costumed characters and evening performances.

Light Shows on the West Coast

Wherever your holiday journey takes you along the West Coast, you'll find charming Christmas displays. The historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California, decorates its grounds with over 10 million lights for a festival of lights. In addition to illuminating town at night, Mission Inn offers live music, brunch and sweet treats on Candy Lane throughout the holidays.

At the San Diego Botanic Garden, the annual Lightscape combines dazzling lights and nature in several immersive and Instagram-worthy performances. You'll complete a mile-long walking tour to see all of the lights, and a number of other stops will feature food and seasonal drinks so as to add much more holiday cheer.

The town of Leavenworth within the mountains of Washington is modeled on a Bavarian Alpine village. A visit at Christmas time will remind you of the tradition German Christmas markets.

The town hosts Christmastown yearly and decorates the town with lights throughout the winter. Christmastown also incorporates a gingerbread house exhibit, carols, visits with Santa, and a festival hall where you’ll be able to warm up with a sweet treat.

Visit a Christmas light display this season

Whether you're in search of classic charm, a beachy feel, or a novel cultural experience, a vacation light show is the proper option to feel the spirit of the festive season. Add considered one of these spectacular exhibitions to your travel plans this 12 months and create lifelong family vacation memories.

The college basketball landscape within the Bay Area looks quite different because the end of last season.

Tara VanDerveer is not any longer the coach of the Stanford women's team and is retiring after an unparalleled profession. Jerod Haase was fired after eight seasons as coach of Stanford's men's team. The Bay lost a whole lot of talent, including Aidan Mahaney's transfer to UConn and Kiki Iriafen's departure to USC.

There's also the proven fact that Cal and Stanford at the moment are within the ACC and can face Duke and Kentucky.

Here's how the Bay Area college basketball teams performed on the primary day of the season:

(San Jose State's women's teams and San Francisco men's teams will play their first games of the season on Tuesday)

Stanford (women) def. La Moyne, 107-43

Kate Paye, who has the unenviable task of replacing among the best coaches in college basketball history, didn't must sweat much as Stanford earned a surprising win over La Moyne of the Northeast Conference.

After playing sparingly in her first two seasons, redshirt junior Jzaniya Harriel finished her profession with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists. Senior guard Elena Bosgana also had a career-high 19 points despite playing only quarter-hour, while sophomore forward Nunu Agara matched her career-high 18 points.

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Stanford (men) def. Denver, 85-62

Paye isn't the one recent basketball coach on the farm. Kyle Smith began his tenure as Stanford's recent head coach with a decisive 23-point victory over Denver, this system's 14th consecutive win in a season opener.

Leading the way in which for the Cardinals was guard Oziyah Sellers, a transfer from USC who was born in Fremont and raised in Hayward. Seller, this system's first undergraduate transfer since 2009, set profession highs in points (24) and rebounds (7) in a single game while recording two steals and a block.

Senior forward Maxime Raynaud, the reigning Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year, posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds and a career-best six assists. Graduate guard Jaylen Blakes, a transfer from Duke, scored 12 total points and matched career-highs in assists (six), steals (three) and blocks (two), while junior guard Benny Gealer scored 12 points with career-highs of 4 and three – Pointer.

Cal def. Saint Mary's (women), 90-58

With reigning WCC Freshman of the Year Zeryhia Aokuso still recovering from offseason knee surgery, Cal survived Saint Mary's with a surprising win at Haas Pavilion.

Sophomore guard Lulu Twidale, an honorable mention Pac-12 All-Freshman last season, scored a career-high 24 points and sank five of her eight three-pointers. Senior forward Marta Suárez totaled 17 points and eight rebounds, while graduate Ioanna Krimili, the Bears' leading scorer last 12 months, had 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and a game-high +/- of +40.

At Saint Mary's, sophomore defensive back Emily Foy led the Gaels with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Senior guard Kennedy Johnson, a transfer from Idaho who averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds last season, had 12 points and five rebounds in her debut for the Gaels.

Cal def. Cal State Bakersfield, 86-73

While Cal cruised to a 13-point win in its season opener, Cal State Bakersfield played with aggression and energy for 40 minutes, unwilling to easily hand the Bears a win. Although uncomfortable, Cal left Haas Pavilion with a win and commenced Mark Madsen's second season as head coach.

Graduate guard Jovan Blacksher Jr., a transfer from Grand Canyon, led the Bears with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Andrej Stojakovic, the son of former Sacramento standout Peja Stojakovic who transferred from Stanford, had 16 points and 6 rebounds in his Cal debut.

San Jose State (men) loses to Western Illinois 59-55

San Jose State's season-opening loss to Western Illinois within the Ohio Valley Conference won't go down as the most important upset of the night. That award belongs to No. 13 Texas A&M, which lost to UCF 64-61. However, the Spartans' four-point loss at home to the Leathernecks definitely falls into the shocking category.

The numbers tell a whole lot of the story. Despite shooting 19 more free throws than Western Illinois, San Jose State couldn't overcome an evening through which it shot 35 percent from the sphere and 19 percent from three. The Spartans felt the absence of their top three scorers from last 12 months – Myron Amey Jr. (transfer), Alvaro Cardenas (transfer), Tibet Gorener (transfer) – as they struggled offensively down the stretch.

San Francisco (women) loses to Colorado State 52-47

San Francisco entered the fourth round with a six-point lead, but was outscored 21-10 in the ultimate quarter of the sport, ultimately leading to a five-point loss to Colorado State.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well; The Dons made 27.1 percent of their field goal attempts while the Rams made 29.3 percent. Senior guard Freja Werth, WCC Freshman of the Year last season, totaled 13 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes.

Located in New Windsor, NY, an hour's drive from the George Washington Bridge, the Storm King Art Center is considered one of the most important and most famed outdoor sculpture parks within the country. It features over 150 works by artists spread across 500 lush fields and forests within the Hudson Valley, and the season's fall foliage reaches its peak this weekend, making it an important time to go to. Artists resembling Alexander Calder and Maya Lin have brought him international recognition. Founded in 1960 by Ralph E. Ogden and H. Peter Stern, co-owners of the Star Expansion Company, it was initially a Hudson River School painting museum before expanding its scope to incorporate outdoor sculpture. It has successfully combined art and its natural surroundings to showcase the great thing about Orange County. Parts of the location originally served as a gravel quarry that supported the development of the New York Thruway.