(Photo : Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – Christian McCaffrey (#23) of the San Francisco 49ers is hit by Alex Anzalone (#34) and Kerby Joseph (#31) of the Detroit Lions through the second half within the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to compete within the Super Bowl LVIII, however their journey was practically derailed once they confronted a 17-point deficit in opposition to the Detroit Lions at halftime through the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 28, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
In a outstanding flip of occasions, the 49ers orchestrated a comeback, scoring 17 factors inside eight minutes within the third quarter to stage the enjoying area within the NFC Championship Game. They continued their momentum, surging forward within the fourth quarter to win with the rating of 34-31.
The Niners secured a rematch in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs within the title recreation scheduled for Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
On the flip facet, the Lions’ extraordinary season has now concluded. This marked their first postseason look in over three a long time, they usually have been gunning to safe their first Super Bowl berth in franchise historical past.
Acknowledging an even bigger problem subsequent season, Lions head coach Dan Campbell admitted that reaching subsequent 12 months’s NFC Championship recreation will probably current a extra arduous path than this 12 months’s journey.
“I told those guys, this may have been our only shot. Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No. However, I know how hard it is to get here. I’m well aware. It’s going to be twice as hard to get to this point next year as it was this year. That’s the reality,” the charismatic head coach stated after the sport.
Read extra: Christian McCaffrey Contract: How Much Does 49ers Star and MVP Candidate Earn as NFL’s Best Running Back?
3 Reasons Detroit Lions Lost to San Francisco 49ers
1. Failed fourth down conversions
The aggressive method that outlined the Detroit Lions’ turnaround beneath coach Dan Campbell proved a double-edged sword at a vital second.
The Lions faltered by not changing on two fourth-down makes an attempt inside field-goal vary within the second half, probably costing the workforce six factors on the board.
Despite attaining a league-high 62 conversions on fourth downs throughout Campbell’s three seasons, the Lions fell quick when it mattered most.
San Francisco slowly gained confidence because the second half went on, slicing away Detroit’s lead with every possession.
2. Missed interception alternative
During the third quarter, 49ers star quarterback Brock Purdy’s deep go meant for broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk was overthrown, presenting an interception alternative for Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor and an opportunity for Detroit to place the nail within the coffin.
However, the ball unexpectedly bounced off the defender’s face masks and ended up in Aiyuk’s palms, leading to a 51-yard completion.
Subsequently, three performs later, Aiyuk scored a landing go from Purd, narrowing the deficit to simply seven factors with just a little over 5 minutes remaining within the third quarter.
3. Failing to attain a straightforward landing
With 1:16 left on the clock and the Lions trailing by ten, tight finish Anthony Firkser discovered himself in a first-and-goal state of affairs.
However, he opted to not rating on a play that appeared like a straightforward likelihood, as a substitute stepping out on the 1-yard line.
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