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The Detroit Lions reached the NFC Championship Sport for the primary time in 32 years with an exhilarating 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the Divisional Spherical of the NFL playoffs.
Tied up at 10-10 at half-time, the Lions got here alive within the second half, scoring touchdowns on three-straight possessions to maneuver 31-17 forward halfway via the fourth quarter.
The Bucs continued to battle and made it a one rating sport once more when Baker Mayfield discovered Mike Evans ultimately zone with 4 minutes and 37 seconds left, although they had been unsuccessful with a two-point conversion try.
Tampa would get one last shot to tie issues up, getting the ball again at their very own 10-yard line with two minutes to go, however on their second play from scrimmage Mayfield was intercepted for the second time within the sport to clinch victory for the Lions, who’re one in all 4 groups to have by no means earlier than been to a Tremendous Bowl.
Mayfield completed 26-of-41 for 349 yards, three touchdowns and people two picks, whereas Lions QB Jared Goff was 30-of-43 for 287 yards and two TDs.
Ford Area was fired up earlier than kick-off and the ambiance went up one other notch when the Bucs’ first drive ended with a Mayfield interception to CJ Gardner-Johnson.
The 2 groups then traded area objectives earlier than Detroit obtained rolling with Goff discovering Josh Reynolds for a nine-yard TD. Tampa Bay responded late within the half, Evans pulling off a spectacular sideline seize to maneuver his group to the two-yard line, the place Mayfield and Cade Otton linked for the game-levelling rating.
Detroit had been again on prime late within the third quarter after they went for it fourth down from a yard out, with Craig Reynolds powering via, however the Bucs once more discovered a response, Mayfield discovering Rachaad White for a 12-yard TD.
The see-saw contest continued as spectacular rookie Jahmyr Gibbs ran in from 31 yards out to place Detroit again on prime they usually lastly broke clear by two scores when Goff hit Amon-Ra St Brown with a nine-yard scoring strike landing cross.
The Bucs once more threatened to come back again following Evans’ TD, just for Mayfield to be picked off by Derrick Barnes to spark big celebrations in Detroit.
Stats leaders:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Passing: Baker Mayfield, 26/41, 349 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
- Speeding: Rachaad White, 9 carries, 55 yards
- Receiving: Mike Evans, 8 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD
Detroit Lions
- Passing: Jared Goff, 30/43, 287 yards, 2 TDs
- Speeding: Jahmyr Gibbs, 9 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown, 8 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD
Rating abstract
What’s subsequent?
The Lions journey to San Francisco subsequent Sunday to tackle the 49ers within the NFC Championship Sport, with the winner reserving a spot at Tremendous Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on February 11.
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