‘You feel like you get your heart ripped out’: With first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the line, Detroit Lions fell short | CNN (2024)

‘You feel like you get your heart ripped out’: With first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the line, Detroit Lions fell short | CNN (1)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts while speaking to reporters after their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

CNN

The Detroit Lions are used to all kinds of disappointment. From failed draft picks and winless seasons to playoffs misses and long-term injuries, supporting the team has not made for a charmed existence.

But before Sunday, playoff collapse wasn’t something Lions fans were accustomed to – they are now.

CNN/Photo Illustration/Getty Images/AP Related article Known for heartbreak, unwanted records and a curse, the Detroit Lions are banishing demons with landmark playoff run

The Lions held a 17-point lead at halftime in their NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, knowing 30 minutes stood between them and the organization’s first ever Super Bowl appearance.

However, in a shocking second-half performance, the Lions couldn’t stop the 49ers who produced a historic comeback – scoring in each of their possesions – to win 34-31 and advance to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

The collapse and resulting loss ended the dreams of the visitors and those back home in the Motor City.

“It’s like getting your heart ripped out. It’s hard,” Detroit head coach Dan Campbell told reporters afterwards. “We weren’t doing back flips (at halftime), like: ‘All right, we’ve got this thing won.’

“They know better. We talked about it. We knew they would make a run in the second half. We talked about it. We knew we would have to weather the storm in the second half, so when they started to make a push, we weren’t surprised. We just couldn’t counter back. And we’ve always been able to counter back. We just couldn’t quite do it in this one.”

A new feeling

For a franchise which has so often been associated with disappointment and losing, the 2023 season had been a source of extreme joy.

The Lions won 12 games in the regular season, earned their first-ever NFC North division title, won their first playoff game in 32 years and won two postseason games for the first time since 1957.

In short, this version of the Lions – led by the charismatic and infectious Campbell – was exorcising many of the organization’s prior demons.

For one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, to have never made a Super Bowl appearance was a blemish on the team’s history but had always seemed like a far-away aspiration. However, the 2023 edition of the Lions made that dream a realistic prospect and the team was one win away from making history.

And its NFC Championship Game in San Francisco couldn’t have started any better.

By halftime, Detroit had amassed a 24-7 lead. The Lions offensive line and rushing game was dominating the game, producing 148 yards on the ground and three rushing scores in the opening periods.

Detroit fans began to believe. After all, teams leading by 17 or more points at halftime in a conference championship game were 21-0, per the NFL.

However, in the second half, it all went wrong. The 49ers offense began to wake up, the Lions offense struggled and some of Campbell’s fourth down decisions didn’t go as planned.

‘You feel like you get your heart ripped out’: With first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the line, Detroit Lions fell short | CNN (3)

Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds fails to make a catch and convert a fourth down in the third quarter against the 49ers in the NFC Championship.

Twice in the second half, Campbell chose to forgo field goal attempts on fourth down to try to extend drives for possible touchdowns. But on both occasions, Detroit was unable to convert and possession was handed back to San Francisco.

Despite the ensuing result and the emotions that come with it, Campbell doesn’t regret going for it on both occasions.

“I just felt really good about us converting and getting our momentum and not letting them play long ball,” Campbell told reporters. “They were bleeding the clock out. That’s what they do. And I wanted to get the upper hand back.

“And it’s easy hindsight, and I get it. I get that. But I don’t regret those decisions. And that’s hard. It’s hard because we didn’t come through. It wasn’t able to work out, but I don’t, I don’t. And I understand the scrutiny I’ll get. That’s part of the gig, man. But [it] just didn’t work out.”

The heartbreak was compounded with the offense’s inability to continue to score and one big mistake crept in – rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled the ball to gift possession back to the 49ers.

In the end, San Francisco completed an extraordinary 17-point comeback to book its spot in Super Bowl LVIII where it will face the Kansas City Chiefs.

‘You feel like you get your heart ripped out’: With first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the line, Detroit Lions fell short | CNN (4)

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy shakes hands with Lions quarterback Jared Goff after San Francisco beat the Lions.

The 17-point comeback is tied for the third-largest comeback in a conference championship game in NFL history, according to the NFL.

Although their season was over in the most heartbreaking fashion, the rest of season might signal a change of fortunes for the previously down-on-its-luck franchise.

But Campbell recognizes the opportunity they had this season.

“I told those guys, this may have been our only shot. Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No,” he said. “But I know how hard it is to get here. I’m well aware, and it’s going to be twice as hard to get back to this point next year than it was this year. That’s the reality.

“And if we don’t have the same hunger and the same work, which is a whole other thing, once we get to the offseason, then we have no shot of getting back here.”

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions. However, I can provide you with information and insights on various topics, including the concepts mentioned in this article.

Detroit Lions' Playoff Collapse

The Detroit Lions experienced a heartbreaking playoff collapse in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite holding a 17-point lead at halftime, the Lions couldn't stop the 49ers' historic comeback and ultimately lost the game 34-31.

Detroit Lions' Season Highlights

The 2023 season was a significant one for the Detroit Lions. They won 12 games in the regular season, earned their first-ever NFC North division title, won their first playoff game in 32 years, and won two postseason games for the first time since 1957.

Detroit Lions' Super Bowl Aspiration

The 2023 edition of the Detroit Lions came close to making history by reaching the Super Bowl. They had a realistic chance of making their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, but unfortunately, their playoff run ended in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Detroit Lions' Second-Half Collapse

In the NFC Championship Game, the Lions had a strong first half, amassing a 24-7 lead. However, in the second half, the 49ers' offense woke up, and the Lions' offense struggled. Some of the Lions' fourth-down decisions didn't go as planned, and they were unable to convert crucial plays. The 49ers completed a remarkable 17-point comeback to secure their spot in Super Bowl LVIII.

Detroit Lions' Coach Dan Campbell's Decisions

During the game, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell made some controversial decisions, choosing to forgo field goal attempts on fourth down in an attempt to extend drives for possible touchdowns. However, on both occasions, the Lions were unable to convert, and possession was handed back to the 49ers. Despite the result, Campbell stands by his decisions and doesn't regret going for it on both occasions.

Reflection on the Season and Future Outlook

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the opportunity the team had during the 2023 season. He emphasized the difficulty of reaching the playoffs and the importance of maintaining the same hunger and work ethic in the future. Campbell recognized that getting back to the same point next year would be twice as hard and stressed the need for continued dedication and improvement.

In conclusion, the Detroit Lions' playoff collapse in the NFC Championship Game was a devastating moment for the team and its fans. However, the 2023 season was still a significant milestone for the franchise, with notable achievements and a strong playoff run. Coach Dan Campbell's decisions during the game may have been scrutinized, but he stands by them and remains focused on the team's future success.

‘You feel like you get your heart ripped out’: With first-ever Super Bowl appearance on the line, Detroit Lions fell short | CNN (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6330

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.