Lions beat Buccaneers to reach first NFC championship game in 32 years
Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in their divisional playoff game on Sunday, lifting the long-suffering franchise into the NFC championship for the first time in 32 years and just the second time in franchise history.
The Lions have won two playoff games in a season for the first time since 1957, the last year they won the NFL title. They will play at San Francisco, the NFC’s top seed, next Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl – a game they have never played in.
“We’re a gritty team, we’ve got the guys to do it though, and that’s why we’re here,” said Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who grew up in the Detroit area. “We’re going to San Fran and we can’t wait.”
Jahmyr Gibbs ran through a huge hole for a tiebreaking, 31-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and Goff made it a two-TD lead when he connected with Amon-Ra St Brown for a nine-yard score with 6:22 left.
Baker Mayfield threw three TD passes for Tampa Bay, including a 16yard toss to Mike Evans that got the Bucs within one score with 4:37 left.
Detroit couldn’t run out the clock on offense, giving Tampa Bay one last chance, but Mayfield’s pass over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Barnes. It was the QB’s second pick of the day.
Goff finished 30 of 43 for 287 yards and directed an efficient second-half offense for the Lions, who had long touchdown drives on three consecutive possessions. St Brown had eight catches for 77 yards, and his TD catch capped a masterful 10-play, 89-yard drive.
Gibbs, an electric rookie Tampa Bay didn’t have to face when they lost to Detroit in the regular season, had 74 yards rushing on nine carries and four receptions for 40 yards.
Mayfield was 26 of 41 for 349 yards. His early pick went off Mike Evans’ hands, and his late one was an ill-advised throw. Evans had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Rachaad White had 55 yards rushing on nine carries, a total coach Todd Bowles may lament wasn’t higher, and four catches for 36 yards.
The Lions, and their desperatefor-a-winner fans, hope their second appearance in the NFC title game works out better than the first when Washington routed them 41-10 in January 1992.
The Lions kneeled to run out the clock as their fans stood, screamed and twirled white towels as they looked forward to the 49ers.
“They’re the best. Look around right now. They’re not going to leave here for quite some time,” Goff said. “And this is our last one in front of them and they were special tonight as they were last week. But they deserve it. They deserve this. They deserve to enjoy this and hope to give them a lot more moving forward.”