It doesn’t defy logic at all. You are making several bad assumptions.
First bad assumption is that voters blame democrats exclusively for the “wrong direction”.
Second bad assumption is that voters automatically view Republicans as better options.
Third bad assumption is that the polls were off. They weren’t. The polls were extremely accurate this time around.
Fourth bad assumption is that votes should reflect polls. Nope. Polls should reflect votes.
Wait a minute, what polling company got this past election right or even close? They all were saying pretty much the same thing. History shows that people blame or credit the President all things right or wrong. It doesn't matter whether he is or not, that's just the way people always voted.
The Communists are in complete charge of our federal government. How could anybody blame Republicans for the problems we are having when we had no power for two years?
So yes, it does defy logic:
All polling companies were completely wrong probably for the first time since polling began.
Most of the country believes we are headed in the wrong direction.
Highest inflation in 40 years.
Highest interest rates in 14 years.
Huge damage to the stock market where people who planned on retiring this year or next had to put it off.
Record amount of fentanyl deaths.
Worst border problem in over 20 years according to the Border Patrol.
And you say the results don't defy common sense?