Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, Jan. 21, 2024 ~ The Detroit Lions advanced to the NFC Championship at the thrilling end of one of the most historic nights in Lions history.
The Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs at Ford Field Sunday, defeating the team for the second time this season. The San Fransico 49ers will meet the Lions in the NFC Championship, having defeated the Green Bay Packers Saturday night in the other NFC divisional game.
The Lions, however, first had to overcome the obstacle of the Buccaneers led by Baker Mayfield. On the Buccaneers’ opening drive, Mayfield threw an interception to set up a Lions field goal. Tampa Bay responded with a field goal of their own to end the first quarter tied at three.
PODCASTS:
Jan. 22, 2024 ~ NFL Network analyst Cynthia Frelund was live from downtown Detroit all weekend for the lead-up and celebration of the Lions-Buccaneers Divisional Round playoff game, and she joins Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds to talk about the great stories coming out of the win! Photo: Eric Seals ~ USA Today Network
Jan. 22, 2024 ~ Lomas Brown, the color analyst for the Detroit Lions Radio Network and host of WJR’s SportsWrap, joins Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds to talk about the thrilling win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Frank Ragnow‘s resiliency, and preview the 49ers matchup. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA Today Network
Jan. 22, 2024 ~ The Lions are heading to the NFC Championship Game, after taking down the Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday. Longtime PR Director Bill Keenist joins Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds to talk about the players and Dan Campbell embodying the city’s “grit.” Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA Today Network
PHOTOS:
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- Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) celebrates an interception from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. PHOTO: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs gets upended in a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III during second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21 2024. The Detroit Lions won the game 31-23 to advance to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara next Sunday. Photo: Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions fans cheer for the Lions against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) talks to teammates before a snap against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs for a first down against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
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- Jan 21, 2024 ~ Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Photo: Lon Horwedel ~ USA TODAY Sports
(CONTINUED) The Lions got going offensively in the second quarter, scoring the first touchdown in the game with a touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds. After two failed drives for both teams, the Buccaneers gained momentum with under 2 minutes remaining in the first half. With two passes to Mike Evans for over 25 yards, Tampa Bay got the ball to the two-yard line and tossed it to Cade Otton for the touchdown to tie the score at 10 going into halftime.
The Lions would get on the board first in the second half as Detroit assembled a 10-play drive that would result in a 1-yard Craig Reynolds rushing touchdown. The Buccaneers continued to hang right with the Lions as Mayfield threw a quick pass to Rachaad White for a 12-yard touchdown. At the end of the third quarter, Detroit and Tampa Bay were tied at 17.
The Lions would come out with a different intensity in the fourth quarter as Jhamyr Gibbs got loose for a 31-yard touchdown. The team’s defense held out for Detroit as they forced an immediate three-and-out by the Buccaneers offense on the following drive. The Lions continued to have their way offensively as they entered the endzone on a 10-play, 89-yard drive off a short pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, putting Detroit up 31-17 with a little under 6 and a half minutes remaining.
The Buccaneers down 14 needed a touchdown and they got one. Tampa Bay assembled a 75-yard drive that turned into a touchdown for Evans. Evans torched the Detroit defense all game, finishing the night with 147 receiving yards. The Buccaneers would go for a 2-point conversion targeted for Evans that the Detroit defense would shut down.
The Lions retook possession with about 4 and a half minutes remaining. Detroit would not be able to take a ton of time off the clock as they’d give the Buccaneers the ball back with just under 2 minutes remaining. Tampa Bay, with a chance to take it to overtime, would throw an interception to Derrick Barnes giving Detroit the win and a trip to the NFC Championship.
With the 49ers winning Saturday night, they will host the Lions next Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Levis Stadium. Both teams will put it all on the line for a trip to the Super Bowl.
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