Studs & Duds for the Lions playoff loss to the 49ers

Here are the Detroit Lions Studs and Duds as they fall one game short with the their loss to the San Francisco 49ers

The Detroit Lions’ remarkable season concludes on a heartbreaking note as they surrender a 17-point lead in a 34-31 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

In the first half, the Lions asserted control with a commanding 24-7 lead, showcasing an unstoppable offense and a defense that made crucial stops at opportune moments. However, the narrative took a sharp turn in the second half, as everything that could go wrong for the Lions seemingly did, creating a deficit they couldn’t overcome by the game’s end.

While the Lions’ season exceeded expectations, their inexperience and missed opportunities became evident in this critical game, leaving them just one step shy of a Super Bowl berth.

As we bid farewell to the season, let’s reflect on the Studs and Duds in the Lions’ loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship.

Quick takeaways from the Lions NFC Championship loss to the 49ers

Quick takeaways from the Lions NFC Championship loss to the 49ers

The Detroit Lions incredible 2023 season has come to an end in the NFC Championship game. The Lions couldn’t hold onto a 24-7 halftime lead and fell in San Francisco to the 49ers, 34-31.

From the precipice of appearing in the first Super Bowl in franchise history to the stinging defeat of losing out after roaring out to an early lead.

 

 

 

Watch: Jameson Williams races through the 49ers for the Lions TD

Watch: Jameson Williams races through the 49ers for the Lions TD in the NFC Championship game

What a start for the Detroit Lions!

In their first NFC Championship game since after the 1991 season, the Lions surged out to a quick 7-0 lead. A very effective opening drive capped off with Jameson Williams running through and past the entire 49ers defense for a 42-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of the game.

Williams flashed the serious open-field speed around right tackle on the end-around. Good blocks in space from center Frank Ragnow and left tackle Taylor Decker helped spring Jamo, and he ran through a feeble tackle attempt for paydirt.

Lions inactives for the NFC Championship game: James Houston will play

Lions inactives for the NFC Championship game: James Houston will play

James Houston is active for the NFC Championship game. No sense in burying the lead story.

For the first time since breaking his ankle in Week 2, Lions EDGE James Houston is active for a game. He is poised to take the field for Detroit in San Francisco against the 49ers.

The Lions had two players previously ruled out on the final injury list with injuries in left guard Jonah Jackson and wide receiver/return specialist Kalif Raymond. Third-string QB Hendon Hooker is also inactive but listed as the emergency QB option. Hooker was questionable with a tooth malady.

The healthy scratches feature several of the usual suspects:

  • CB Steven Gilmore
  • DT Brodric Martin
  • S Tracy Walker
  • EDGE Charles Harris

For the 49ers:

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 10 takeaways from first half of AFC Championship game

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Kansas City Chiefs hold a 17-7 lead over the Baltimore Ravens

The Chiefs heard all the noise and responded upon entering M&T Bank Stadium, jumping out to an early lead on the Baltimore Ravens and taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.

Sunday is the 5th time the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens have trailed by double digits at halftime (0-4 in the first four games).

Three other times, it has been vs. the Chiefs (2019 and 2020).

Kansas City answered the questions about Baltimore’s physicality, attacking the Ravens in the trenches on both sides of the football.

With the second half underway, we’re looking at takeaways from the first half.

Twitter reacts to Lamar Jackson’s amazing 13-yard receptions to himself

Social media reacts to Lamar Jackson completing a 13-yard pass to himself after having it tipped at the line of scrimmage

The Chiefs are leading the Ravens 14-7 in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium, and both quarterbacks have provided jaw-dropping plays on offense.

Lamar Jackson went first, spinning out of several sack attempts to find Zay Flowers for a brilliant 30-yard touchdown.

Mahomes struck next, scrambling behind the line of scrimmage for about ten seconds before finding Travis Kelce for a nice gain.

Jackson responded next, avoiding a disastrous interception by running and catching his pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage and turning it into a 13-yard gain.

Social media reacts to everything, and Jackson’s play made the list.

National reaction to Lamar Jackson spinning out a sack and hitting Zay Flowers for 30 yard TD

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson avoids several sacks to find Zay Flowers for 30 yard TD in AFC title game against Kansas City Chiefs

Lamar Jackson is a magician with the football, and the MVP favorite put his magic on display Sunday when he spun out of a sack to find Zay Flowers running clean for a 30-yard touchdown.

Jackson and Flowers stayed on the same page after the quarterback eluded several rushers, and with the rookie pass catcher matched up on linebacker Nick Bolton, Jackson lofted a dime for the score.

Here’s the national reaction to the play: Baltimore and Kansas City are tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

WATCH: Travis Kelce throws Justin Tucker’s helmet so Patrick Mahomes can warm up

Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce tried to chump Ravens kicker Justin Tucker and make him move so Patrick Mahomes can warm up

We’re a little over an hour away from the Ravens and Chiefs kicking off the AFC title game, and star tight end Travis Kelce just added some drama to the contest.

Baltimore’s All-Pro kicker, Justin Tucker was down in the Chiefs end of the field warming up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kelce and the Kansas City offense took the field for some early pregame warmups of their own.

After watching Mahomes take a couple of dropbacks with Tucker still stretching, and his helmet in the Chiefs way, Kelce took upon himself to tell the kicker to move, while tossing his helmet.

Social media reacts to everything, and this altercation was no different.

Ravens vs. Chiefs inactives: Baltimore to employ 9 defensive backs against Kansas City

Ravens vs. Chiefs inactives: Baltimore to employ 9 defensive backs against Kansas City

We’re a little over an hour away from the Ravens and Chiefs battling for the AFC Championship game, and Baltimore has 9 defensive backs active aganst the Kansas City offense.

Mark Andrews and Marlon Humphrey are officially active.

5 reasons why the Ravens will beat the Chiefs in AFC Championship game

We’re looking at five reasons why the Baltimore Ravens will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The time has come, and we’re a little over 3 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With pregame warmups already underway, we’re looking at five reasons the Ravens will win the AFC Championship.