The Detroit Lions hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round. This was the first time in franchise history that they hosted two home playoff games.
Neither team had a great first possession. Detroit elected to receive the ball first, but it was a quick three-and-out. Rachaad White ran for 16 yards to pick up the first down for the Buccaneers, but that would be their only good play on the drive due to Baker Mayfield getting sacked and then picked off by C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The Lions were able to get in the endzone on their next possession, but the Buccaneers were able to stop them from running it in for a touchdown. They were able to get on the board first with a field goal. The Buccaneers once again were held out of the endzone due to the quarterback getting sacked which forced a 43-yard field goal.
The Lions got back in the endzone and finally scored a touchdown to put them up 10-3. They had a chance to go up two scores after the Buccaneers went three and out, but Goff threw three incomplete passes which forced a punt.
Tampa Bay once again had to settle for a long field goal on their next drive, but the kicker missed after the ball hit the left side of the goal post. But they were given a second chance to put some points on the board before the half due to Detroit punting the ball after a quick three and out.
The Buccaneers took advantage of their opportunity and two 20+ yard completions to Mike Evans put them in the endzone. They scored a much-needed touchdown and tied the game. They got the ball to start the third quarter with a chance to take the lead.
The first possessions of the second half for both teams were somewhat reminiscent of what happened in the first quarter as both teams quickly went three and out. The Lions were able to get in the endzone on their second possession in the quarter and scored a touchdown after going for it on 4th and goal.
The Buccaneers answered back with a touchdown to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter. The Lions then went back to running the ball and took the lead once again on a Jahmyr Gibbs’ 31-yard touchdown run. Their defense forced a three-and-out, allowing the Lions to extend their lead with an 89-yard drive leading to an Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown.
It looked like the Buccaneers were out of it, but they managed to keep their season alive after converting a 4th and 14 to get a much-needed first down. They got back in the endzone and scored a touchdown to cut the lead to eight points. They attempted a two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful.
Detroit got the ball back with a chance to run down the clock to ice the game, but they faced a 3rd and 11 which they were not able to convert. They had to punt the ball at the two-minute warning. Tampa Bay would not only have to get a touchdown but also get the two-point conversion to force overtime.
The Buccaneers’ drive ended quickly as Derrick Barnes picked off Baker Mayfield on a pass meant for Cade Otton, and that was the end of the game. This is the first time in franchise history the Lions have won two playoff games in the same season.
Jared Goff finished with 30 completions out of 43 attempts for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs finished with nine carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished with eight receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown.
What’s Next
The Lions have advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991, and just the second overall in franchise history. They will go on the road and take on the San Francisco 49ers. The game will air on Fox and begin at 6:30 pm EST.
Photo Courtesy: Junhu Han/Detroit Free Press
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