The Detroit Lions defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and secure their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.

For the second time in their history, the Detroit Lions are in the NFC Championship Game.

Head coach Dan Campbell’s team deservedly beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31:23 (10:10) in a hard-fought divisional round game.

It was a game with two faces, in which the offense initially struggled, but then turned up the heat in the second half of the game.

The Lions built up a lead in the fourth quarter, which they did not relinquish until the end. The Buccaneers were still in the game until the final drive, but had to bury their hopes after an interception two minutes before the end.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff put in a solid performance with 287 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown delivered with eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Jahmyr Gibbs was the strongest runner with 74 yards and a touchdown.

Initial difficulties

The Buccaneers offense around Baker Mayfield did not get off to a good start. On the very first drive, Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepted a pass from Baker Mayfield that had previously been tipped by Mike Evans.

The Lions offense could only partially capitalize on the good starting position: Shortly before the end zone, the drive stalled and Detroit had to settle for a field goal. The Buccaneers struck back shortly afterwards and equalized with a field goal.

This was followed by a strong drive by the Detroit Lions. In 6:46 minutes, they covered 75 yards to the end zone, where receiver Josh Reynolds scored the first touchdown of the game.

After the score, however, the Lions’ offense struggled to find its rhythm. The Buccaneers initially missed a chance when kicker Chase McLaughlin hit the post with a 50-yard field goal attempt, but managed to draw level with Detroit shortly before the end of the half.

With just under a minute on the clock, Baker Mayfield orchestrated a 92-yard drive that he capped off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cade Sutton to make it 10-10 going into the break.

Detroit Lions win the battle

The Lions’ offense became more consistent in the second half and put together one successful drive after another.

Craig Reynold, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown each scored a touchdown, while the Buccaneers only found the end zone through Rachaad White, giving the Lions a two-touchdown lead.

However, Mayfield and the Buccaneers were not to be deterred: with their backs to the wall, the offense converted a 4th & 14 with five minutes to go and cut the deficit to 23:31 shortly afterwards with a touchdown from Mike Evans, the game’s best pass receiver with 142 yards.

After a quick punt by the Lions, Tampa Bay’s offense had one last chance to take the game into overtime.

But the decision was made on the very second play: Mayfield came under pressure and threw a pass into the hands of Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes, sealing the Lions’ second playoff win of the season.

Historic Super Bowl appearance?

On Sunday, the Lions will face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

They have the opportunity to make history: Detroit is one of only four NFL teams that has never reached the Super Bowl. Now they are just one step away.