The Lions were flying high at halftime of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Leading 24-7, throngs of Honolulu Blue-clad fans inside Levi's Stadium could feel the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance well within their grasp. Their wildest dreams were about to come true.
But almost as quickly as Detroit had built its lead, it began to slip away. The 49ers scored on all five of their second-half possessions, advancing to take on the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, via a 34-24 win.
The Lions left crucial points on the board in the second half as head coach Dan Campbell twice opted to gamble on fourth down, only to have the first attempt dropped by Josh Reynolds and the second also fall incomplete — two plays that will forever be discussed by Lions fans and critics alike.
Momentum was zapped out of the game following the first attempt, with under 7:00 to go in the third quarter, when the Niners found some good fortune via a near-interception that bounced off Kindle Vildor's facemask and into Brandon Aiyuk's hands for a 51-yard completion.
Immediately following a Brock Purdy-to-Brandon Aiyuk touchdown moments later, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled the ball away on the first play of the next drive.
San Francisco quickly capitalized, scoring just four plays later to tie the game at 24. The Niners would take a three-point lead on their next drive after a Lions punt.
Goff then threw incomplete on fourth and three from the Niners’ 30-yard-line, leading to another San Francisco touchdown drive.
Detroit cut the deficit to 34-31 on a Jameson Williams catch on 4th and goal from the three, but the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful.
Detroit falls one game shy of the Super Bowl, but finishes the year with a franchise-record 14 wins, including the playoffs.