Lions hold off Bucs, set up NFC championship game vs. 49ers


The Detroit Lions are one win away from playing in the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The Detroit Lions are going to San Francisco.

Detroit built a late two-touchdown lead, then held off a late Tampa Bay Buccaneers rally with an interception of Baker Mayfield to secure a 31-23 win in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday. The Lions advance to face the 49ers on the road next week with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.

Jared Goff threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in the victory, while Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds added touchdowns on the ground for Detroit. Tampa Bay’s season is over after a surprise run to the second weekend of the NFL postseason.

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Sun, January 21, 2024 at 8:48 PM GMT+1Mon, January 22, 2024 at 12:12 AM GMT+1

And that’s it. The Lions end the game in victory formation for a 31-23 win. Lions vs. 49ers in San Francisco next week for a trip to the Super Bowl.

Mon, January 22, 2024 at 12:11 AM GMT+1

The Bucs force a punt and get the ball back. But Baker Mayfield throws an interception with 1:35 remaining, and the game’s all but over. Derrick Barnes with the game-sealing pick. Tampa Bay only has one timeout remaining. Detroit is headed to San Francisco for the NFC championship game.

Mon, January 22, 2024 at 12:01 AM GMT+1

The Bucs rolled the dice on the 2-point play, which is the right call. It gives them a better chance to win. But the variance and downside of a failed conversion is tough to swallow when it happens, especially in a playoff game.

Sun, January 21, 2024 at 11:58 PM GMT+1

The Bucs answer back. Again with Mike Evans. Mayfield hits Evans in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. But a two-point conversion fails, and the Lions lead 31-23 with 4:37 remaining.

Sun, January 21, 2024 at 11:49 PM GMT+1

Amon-Ra St. Brown does it again. He hauls in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff on the right side of the end zone. Lions take a 31-17 lead midway through the fourth, and the Bucs are in trouble.

Sun,…


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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-01-21 23:19:13

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