The Detroit Lions had a remarkable season in 2023. The team won the NFC North after three decades and made it to the playoffs. Detroit was just one win shy from making it to the Super Bowl, but San Francisco upset them. The 2023 NFC Championship was a nail-biter.
The Lions started hot and had the lead through three-quarters of the game. Heading into halftime, the Super Bowl hopes of the 49ers appeared to be grim as Detroit led 24-7. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Deebo Samuel reminisced on the game on the latter’s podcast, Cleats and Convos with Deebo Samuel.
Unfortunately, St. Brown jinxed the outcome of the game as it was all Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy in the second half.
The San Francisco 49ers were struggling offensively in the first half. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Purdy were unable to get into a rhythm, and on the sidelines, the team looked confused at how the game was progressing. McCaffrey was able to score the first touchdown for the 49ers in the second quarter but it was no match in front of the Lions offense.
The Detroit Lions failed to continue their offensive dominance in the second half of the NFC Championship
Detroit scored 3 touchdowns and got into field goal range with just 7 seconds left to go in the first half. The team converted the field goal and entered the locker room with a 17-point lead.
It came as no surprise that the team was confident of its chances of progressing to the Super Bowl. All they needed to do was hold off San Francisco while continuing to extend their lead. Fate had other plans for them.
It resulted in the tide shifting in the favor of the 49ers. It put the 49ers in perfect position at the 15-yard line and on the next play, Purdy threw another perfect pass to Aiyuk who caught it in the endzone.
Reminiscing that matchup is a painful experience for Amon-Ra, who put it perfectly, “We had the game, we just sold it.” San Francisco was just that good in the second half and the Lions got a touch too comfortable, which resulted in their downfall.