The Detroit Lions seemed to be on the verge of their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl led by head coach Dan Campbell, but were outscored 27-7 in the second half to fall to the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, in the NFC championship game and conclude their 2023 campaign.
It would have been the Lions’ first-ever trip to the Super Bowl and first NFL championship game since 1957, but instead, the 49ers are going to their eighth Super Bowl as a franchise with a chance to win their sixth Lombardi Trophy. San Francisco will face the Kansas City Chiefs, who beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in the AFC championship game, in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Feb. 11
Like an avalanche, the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter. One of the biggest plays during that span was Brandon Aiyuk’s incredible, 51-yard catch off a Lions defender’s helmet that set up his own touchdown catch.
That was the turning point for the Detroit Lions and everything went downhill from there for Dan Campbell’s squad.
It was one of five consecutive scoring drives by the 49ers, who received big second half efforts from Ayuik, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Deebo Samuel, among others.
The Lions dominated the first half, but it was a complete different story during the second half. Detroit’s first four drives in the second half resulted in two turnovers on downs, a fumble and a punt. One of the Lions’ biggest miscues over that span was Jaymhr Gibbs’ fumble that set up the 49ers’ game-tying touchdown.
True to form, Dan Campbell coached a fearless game on Sunday, expect for late in the first half with his team holding a 21-7 lead. Campbell, instead of going for it on fourth-and-goal at the 3, elected to take the three points and a 17-point halftime lead.
Not going for it then may have compelled Campbell to go for it on fourth-and-3 with 8:24 left with the Lions down, 27-24, and at the 49ers’ 30-yard line. At that point, it probably made more sense to try the game-winning field goal. But the Lions went for it and came up empty when Jared Goff was unable to connect with Josh Reynolds.
Speaking of misconnections, that, more than anything, was the reason why the Detroit Lions won’t be playing in their first Super Bowl. Late in the first half, Goff missed Gibbs in the end zone on a play that should have extended Detroit’s lead to 28-7. There were several similar situations in the second half where either Goff or his intended target were just off.
We also can’t ignore the Lions’ running game going into hibernation after halftime. Detroit rushed for just 34 yards in the second half after rumbling for 148 yards in the first half.
The offense came up short, but Detroit’s defense did little to change the momentum when things started going south. They were especially bad when it came to keeping Purdy in the pocket. Purdy, not known for his mobility, made several huge plays with his legs during the 49ers’ comeback.
Dan Campbell Share’s Shocking Message He Gave To Detroit Lions Locker Room
Campbell has always been known for having an authentic personality and sticking to his truths, it’s one of the reasons he’s so beloved by the city of Detroit and by his players.
His unconventional approach has helped turnaround a franchise that was at the bottom of the NFL for nearly three decades.
In his post-game press conference following the Detroit Lions giving up the largest lead in NFC Championship history, Dan Campbell showed his authentic self yet again while sharing his message to the team in the locker room.
The realest thing you'll hear a coach admit: #Lions HC Dan Campbell told his locker room that this might have been their only shot. Campbell obviously doesn't believe that, but he says it'll be twice as difficult next year.
"You're not hiding from anyone anymore. Everyone will… pic.twitter.com/Lw82rj4djF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2024
“I told those guys, this may have been our only shot,” Campbell shared with the media when asked about his locker room message to his team.
He went on to describe the reality of the NFL, noting how hard it is to reach a NFC Championship game and it will be twice as hard in 2024 as the team will have a target on their back and the division they play in is only getting better.
The Detroit Lions should be in good shape moving forward with a young roster loaded with talent, but the NFL is a brutal business and he’s likely losing key members of the coaching staff, most notably Ben Johnson, who’s been praised for the development of Jared Goff.
Win or lose, Dan Campbell will always keep it real.
