Lions use explosive 4th quarter to advance past Bucs, 31-23
By Jackson Tolliver
For the first time in 33 years, the Detroit Lions will play in an NFC Championship game. They’ll look to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final score of 31-23.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield have strikingly similar stories. Both were selected with the first overall pick in their respective draft class (Goff in 2016, Mayfield in 2018). Both found initial success with their first teams (Goff reached the Super Bowl in 2019 with the Rams, Mayfield earned the Browns their first playoff victory in 26 years in 2020). Both have struggled after their success, and been dealt to other teams (Goff was traded to the Lions, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers). Both exceeded expectations throughout the season, but Jared Goff was the one who threw 287 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions to lead his team to the NFC Championship.
Entering the fourth quarter, the game had been a back-and-forth battle with the game knotted at 17 apiece. Just two minutes in, rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run, just two minutes after the Buccaneers had tied the game. The defense came out and stifled Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense to get the ball back. The Lions followed with a methodical, time-chewing scoring drive to take a two-touchdown lead with six minutes on the clock.
The Buccaneers were able to respond by scoring a touchdown two minutes later, but they made a rather head-scratching decision of going for two. Mayfield’s fade throw to Mike Evans fell incomplete. The Bucs got the ball back after forcing a punt, but Mayfield threw his second interception of the game, sealing it for the Lions.
Jahmyr Gibbs finished with 74 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Star Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown ended with eight receptions, 77 yards, and a touchdown, and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta recorded nine catches for 65 yards.
The Lions now travel to San Francisco, where they’ll face the top-seeded 49ers with a Super Bowl trip on the line. After a narrow victory versus the Packers, the 49ers don’t seem as invincible as first seeds of the past. Brock Purdy is still developing, and star wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited the game early with a shoulder injury. But they have star power that could be difficult for the Lions to overcome. Running back Christian McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards this season, George Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the league, and the defense is led by Chase Young and Nick Bosa, who were both second-overall picks.
The NFC Championship game will take place on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.