Lions defeat Buccaneers 31-23 to advance to NFC Championshp Game for first time in 32 years
On Sunday afternoon, Jared Goff passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
The Lions, seeking their first Super Bowl berth, will travel to California to face the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday. Detroit will play in the conference championship game for the first time since 1991.
Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 74 yards, including the game-winning 31-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Sam LaPorta had nine receptions for 65 yards for Detroit.
The Lions' second playoff victory in as many weeks came three years to the day after Dan Campbell was introduced as the struggling franchise's new head coach.
"I envisioned that we would have a chance to compete with the big boys, and that's where we're at," Campbell said. "All you've got to do is get in."
For the second consecutive week, Lions fans chanted Goff's name.
"This is our last one in front of them and they were special (Sunday), as they were last week," Goff said. "They deserve it. They deserve this, they deserve to enjoy this and hope to give them a lot more coming forward."
For the Bucs, Baker Mayfield threw 349 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Mike Evans caught eight passes for 147 yards and one touchdown.
Derrick Barnes' interception of Mayfield with 1:33 remaining sealed Detroit's victory.
The Buccaneers exceeded expectations in 2023 by winning the NFC South and a wild-card game, but they now enter the offseason with free-agent decisions to make regarding Mayfield and Evans.
"I love this group," Mayfield said. "I've said that all year, and it's authentic, I mean that. It would mean a lot for me to bring back a lot of key pieces to get this back together."
The game was tied at ten at halftime.
Detroit scored first on Michael Badgley's 23-yard field goal. Tampa Bay answered with a 43-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin.
The Lions reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter with Goff's 9-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds.
McLaughlin hit a 50-yard field goal off the left upright with 2:24 left in the first half.
The Bucs tied it with 15 seconds remaining on a 92-yard drive that took only 1:13. Evans' diving 29-yard reception set up Mayfield's two-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton.
Detroit regained the lead with 3:48 remaining in the third quarter. Craig Reynolds scored with a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal.
Tampa Bay responded once more, with Rachaad White scoring on Mayfield's 12-yard screen pass with 10 seconds remaining in the third.
The Lions responded quickly, as Gibbs burst through a hole and scored from 31 yards out with 13:13 remaining in the game to make it 24-17.
After forcing a punt, Detroit's offense drove 89 yards to extend its lead. Goff connected with St. Brown on a 9-yard pass play to make it 31-17.
With 4:37 remaining, Mayfield connected with Evans for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Evans caught a 24-yard pass on fourth-and-14 earlier in the drive. The Buccaneers attempted a two-point conversion, but the pass was incomplete.
SportsLigue