Detroit Lions earn first trip to NFC Championship game since 1991

The Detroit Lions are headed to their first NFC Championship game since 1991 after taking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in the Divisional Round. Dan Campbell’s squad beat the Buccaneers 31-23 and is now through the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

They’ll be the visitors for the first time during the playoffs after beating Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Rams at home. The Lions’ win at home against the Rams last week was the franchise’s first playoff victory in 32 years, officially ending the league’s longest drought.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw an interception to Lions cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the second drive of the game giving Detroit some momentum after going 3-and-out to start the game. The ensuing drive by Detroit resulted in a field goal. After an 8-play drive and an answering field goal from the Bucs, the Lions scored again on a nine-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds.

Thanks to a missed field goal in the second quarter, the Lions led 10-3 just before the half but Mayfield tossed a touchdown pass to Cade Otton to tie it up at 10-10.

Detroit jumped out ahead in the second half with a one-yard touchdown run by Craig Reynolds. It didn’t take the Buccaneers long to answer via a 12-yard touchdown catch and run by Rachaad White. The Detroit Lions scored on a 31-yard rush by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs on the next drive. A second interception by Mayfield on the final drive of the game iced it for the Lions.

Quarterback Jared Goff finished the game with 287 yards, two touchdowns and 0 interceptions. former first-rounder Aidan Hutchinson, who racked up 11.5 sacks during the regular season, posted another sack on Sunday, making it four sacks for the Lions against Mayfield.

Nightmare scenario. pic.twitter.com/Hrqu4ahaKr

— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024

Lions rookies excel in Year 1

The Detroit Lions could not have made the run they have this season without the contributions they’ve received from first-year players. Rookies Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs instantly impacted the Lions this season, both finishing second amongst their peers in touches and yards. LaPorta had 86 catches, 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gibbs also had 10 touchdowns (plus one more receiving touchdown) with 182 carries and 945 rushing yards.

Rookies have been incredibly impactful for the Lions defense as well this season. Safety Brian Branch and linebacker Jack Campbell finished the regular season with 74 and 95 tackles, respectively. Combined, they also had three sacks while Branch added three interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta and Branch were the first four players taken by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The last time the Lions made the conference championship game, in 1991, they lost 41-10 to Washington.