DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in a divisional round playoff game on Sunday, defeating the long-suffering franchise for the first time in 32 years. in the NFC Championship. And for the second time in franchise history.
The Lions (14-5) won two playoff games in a season for the first time since 1957, when they won the NFL title last year. Next Sunday, they will play San Francisco, the top seed in the NFC, for a spot in the Super Bowl, a game they have never played before.
“We imagined we would have a chance to compete with the big boys, and that’s where we are,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said.
Jahmil Gibbs ran through a gaping hole in the tiebreaker early in the fourth quarter for a 31-yard touchdown, and Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 9-yard score at 6:22 for a two-TD lead. left.
Baker Mayfield threw three TD passes, including a 16-yard toss for Tampa Bay (10-9). Mike Evans got the Bucs within one point with 4:37 left. Detroit was unable to run out the clock on offense, giving Tampa Bay one last chance, but Mayfield’s pass over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Barnes, the second QB drafted on the day. It was done.
“Our defense stepped up at the end. Our defense played a bad game all night and I thought we put the ball back there and finished it off,” Goff said.
The Lions took a knee to run out the clock as fans stood up, screaming and waving white towels.
“They’re the best. Look around you right now. They’re not going to leave here for a while,” Goff said. “And this is their last game in front of them and they were as special tonight as they were last week. But they deserve it. They deserve this. They deserve to enjoy this. We have, and we hope to do more moving forward.”
Goff led an effective second-half attack for the Lions, completing 30 of 43 for 287 yards and a long touchdown drive on three consecutive possessions. St. Brown had eight catches for 77 yards and capped off an impressive 10-play, 89-yard drive with a TD catch.
Gibbs, an electric rookie who didn’t have to play in Tampa Bay’s regular-season loss to Detroit, had 74 yards rushing and 40 yards on nine carries and four receptions.
Mayfield completed 26 of 41 for 349 yards.His early nomination was missed. Mike Evans’ hands, and his late throws, were careless throws. Evans had eight receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown.
Rashard White rushed for 55 yards on nine carries, but he had four catches for 36 yards, although totals coach Todd Bowles may lament that it wasn’t more.
“It’s disappointing not to make it to the Super Bowl,” Bowles said.
The Lions and their win-hungry fans hope their second appearance in the NFC title game goes better than their first, a 41-10 loss to Washington on January 12, 1992.
Detroit and Tampa Bay traded field goals and touchdowns, entering the fourth quarter tied at 17-all.
The Lions went ahead for the third time with 3:48 left in the third quarter, with Campbell scoring his fourth goal from the first and Craig Reynolds running up the middle for the score, giving him 64 points in 10 plays. . -Yard drive.
Mayfield and the Bucs bounced back with a crafty quarterback who revived his career this season, avoiding a sack and then completing a 12-yard pass to White late in the third to make it 17-all.
Gibbs started on the left and cut back to the right for the tiebreaking touchdown run.
The Lions were fortunate to score first.
CJ Gardner-Johnson picked off Mayfield’s pass and slipped it through the hands of Evans, stopping Tampa Bay’s first drive. Goff nearly fought back, underthrowing a pass into the end zone that was dropped by defensive back Jamel Dean, and two snaps later Michael Badgley made a 23-yard field goal.
Mayfield responded with an 18-yard pass to Evans for a third down, then threw a 23-yard pass to Trey Palmer on successive plays, setting up Chase McLaughlin’s 43-yard kick.
Goff converted a third down with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds early in the second quarter.
Mayfield used his legs and arm to tie the Bucks just before halftime. He ran for 14 yards on third down (the longest run by a Tampa Bay quarterback in a playoff game), then connected with Evans on passes of 27 and 29 yards, setting up a 2-yard TD pass to Cade Cotton.
injury
Bucks: S Kayvon Merriweather (ankle) was injured in the third quarter and was carried off the field. Dean left the field limping in the fourth inning.
Lions: G Jonah Jackson (knee) was injured in the first half and did not return. TE Brock Wright (forearm) was ejected in the second half.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
