Tag: NFC Championship Game

Pierre Thomas’ 38-yard screen TD is the Saints Play of the Day

Pierre Thomas was one of the best running backs on screen passes, and his 38-yard TD in the 2009 NFC title game is the Saints Play of the Day:

You could pick almost any play from the 2009 NFC championship game and argue that it deserves a spot in the highlight reel. Between all of the turnovers taken away, lead changes, touchdowns scored, dramatic field goals and yes, the big hits, it remains one of the hardest-fought games in NFL history.

And this 38-yard touchdown from Pierre Thomas stands as one of the best plays in a game full of standout individual efforts. He was always regarded as one of the best running backs on screen passes, and this scoring play was a great example of it. Thomas caught the ball cleanly out of the backfield from Drew Brees and turned up the field to follow his blockers for 38 yards into the end zone.

Of course he didn’t do it alone. Sean Payton designed a great play and  called it at the perfect time, taking advantage of the Minnesota Vikings defense as they misread what was in front of them. Brees threw a great football. But the offensive line made this happen. Blockers got out in front to clear a path for Thomas, including all-star right guard Jahri Evans, who walled off two Vikings defenders during the play. Wide receiver Marques Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey cleared out the last ten yards with left guard Carl Nicks escorting Thomas to the end zone, untouched.

And the six points he scored proved to be pivotal. The Saints and Vikings traded body blows before going to overtime, where Garrett Hartley sent New Orleans to Super Bowl XLIV with a game-winning field goal. But they wouldn’t have gotten there in the first place if Thomas didn’t put their first points on the scoreboard.

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Garrett Hartley’s iconic 40-yard field goal is the Saints Play of the Day

Garrett Hartley’s iconic 40-yard field goal is the Saints Play of the Day. Here’s the kick that sent the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV:

We’re down to 40 days until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, and Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings is our Saints Play of the Day.

Now, a 40-yard field goal in itself isn’t too exciting. But this kick in particular had the highest stakes of any play in team history. Hartley sent the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV by nailing his field goal in overtime of the NFC championship game. He followed Sean Payton’s advice to aim for the team’s black and gold fleur-de-lis waving on a banner between the uprights.

It was one of the hardest-fought games in recent memory. The score was tied up four times and the Saints defensed hammered the Vikings offense, taking advantage of two Brett Favre interceptions and a three lost fumbles from Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian. Minnesota’s ball security proved to be their downfall when Favre threw his second interception in the final seconds of regulation; Tracy Porter picked it off, setting the stage for his iconic pick-six off of Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl.

As for Hartley? His season to this point was wild. He’d been suspended for the first four games and was inactive during the next seven contests before getting called in to replace John Carney. He went 9-of-11 on field goals and 10-of-11 on extra points in the team’s last five regular season games, but he kicked things into gear in the playoffs. Hartley was perfect on each of his field goals (including three of them in the Super Bowl from distances of 46, 44, and 47 yards) and all 12 of his extra point tries.

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WATCH: Commanders’ advisor Bob Myers at the NFC Championship game

Bob Myers was on the sideline for the Lions and 49ers on Sunday.

The Washington Commanders are in the middle of a search for their new head coach. On Sunday, a key figure in Washington’s search — advisor Bob Myers — was in Santa Clara for the NFC Championship between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.

Why was Myers in attendance? The former two-time NBA Executive of the Year with the Golden State Warriors is from the Bay Area and has been to many 49ers’ games over the years.

But Sunday was a bit different.

Myers was a part of the committee that helped bring new Washington GM Adam Peters to the Commanders. Of course, Myers helped build the 49ers, who will be playing for the Super Bowl in two weeks.

On the other sideline was Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson is considered by many to be the frontrunner for Washington’s head coaching position.

While it’s doubtful that Johnson was able to meet with Myers or Peters over the weekend, his first-half performance in charge of Detroit’s offense was the perfect audition. While the Lions lost, Johnson solidified his stock as a top head coaching candidate.

With the Lions and Baltimore Ravens eliminated from the playoffs, Washington should have its head coach named later this week. Will it be Johnson?

Breaking down the PFF grades from Lions appearance in NFC Championship game

Breaking down the best and worst PFF grades from Lions appearance in NFC Championship game

PFF grades are coming to an end for the 2023 season as the Lions were not able to complete their magical run. They blew a 17-point lead to the San Frcnisco 49ers and are now in position of the 29th pick in the draft. Meanwhile, he 49ers are packing their bags for Las Vegas to faceoff against the Chiefs.

A Chiefs team that these same Lions beat in week one, can’t forget that one.

As for the PFF grades, this Lions team played well and fought to the very last second. Some played and showed up much better than others, these grades will make it easy to find those players.

Here are the PFF grades from the Lions NFC Championship appearance.

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.

Commanders’ fans react to Ben Johnson’s playcalling in the NFC Championship

The Lions may have lost, but Washington fans were watching their offensive coordinator and excited about Ben Johnson potentially becoming the Commanders next head coach.

The Detroit Lions looked well on their to the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, holding a 24-7 lead over the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Unfortunately for the Lions, a series of mistakes, from dropped passes and dropped interceptions to head coach Dan Campbell taking one too many gambles, doomed Detroit’s chances. The 49ers came back to win 34-31.

What did go right for the Lions? Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Johnson had the 49ers on their heels throughout the first half, whether through the running game, passing game, trick plays, or other means. Johnson played a pivotal role in helping Detroit jump out to a big lead.

While the Lions lost, Washington fans watched in anticipation. Johnson is considered the favorite to become the next Commanders’ head coach.

We look at some of the top Twitter reactions from Washington fans/media regarding Johnson potentially coming to the Commanders.

 

Lions rookie report: How did they fare in the NFC Championship game?

While the end result isn’t what anyone wants, the future is bright. Here is how these rookies faired in their first taste of a big game atmosphere.

The magical season for the Detroit Lions has come to an end. After several key drops, missing flags, and debatable coaching decisions, we arrive at the end of the 2023 season.

Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell built and developed this year over the past three years. Specifically, the 2023 NFL Draft class for the Lions has been monumental. It will go down as one of the best in the history of this organization.

While the end result isn’t what anyone wants, the future is bright. Here is how these rookies faired in their first taste of a big game atmosphere.

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.

 

 

 

49ers rally in second half to knock out Lions

The 49ers rallied past the Lions and will face the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58

Sports history repeated itself in reverse 66 years later.

The San Francisco 49ers rallied from a 24-7 halftime deficit in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium.

The NFC West champions downed the Detroit Lions, 34-31, to gain a berth in Super Bowl 58 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who earlier in the day upended the Baltimore Ravens.

The first half was all Lions as they raced to the big lead. However, their coach Dan Campbell, embracing the Motown mantra of Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man, saw his risks backfire and San Francisco capitalized.

The 49ers scored 17 points in 8 minutes of clock play in the third quarter to tie the game.

They added another 10 in the fourth quarter before the Lions could muster a lone touchdown to complete the scoring.

Christian McCaffrey rushed for 90 yards and a pair of scores.

Brock Purdy threw for 267 yards and a score.

The game came in the same part of the Golden State that in 1957 saw the Lions overcome a 24-7 halftime deficit in a playoff contest.

Detroit went on to win that game and then defeated the Cleveland Browns for their last championship.

This was a strong year for the Lions but they came up short in the NFC Championship.

Lions can’t hold early lead, fall to 49ers in NFC Championship game

The Detroit Lions can’t hold early lead, fall to the San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship game

The Detroit Lions were halfway to a Super Bowl berth. Alas, a football game has two halves. The San Francisco 49ers dominated the second half and seized the conference title and a trip to the Super Bowl with a 34-31 win in the NFC Championship game over the Lions.

The first half was magical for Detroit. Both the Lions offense and defense were better than their 49ers counterparts in the first half. The Lions raced out to a 14-0 lead and had all the momentum. A Malcolm Rodriguez interception set up a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown to push the lead to 21-7. Michael Badgley would add a field goal to stretch the lead to 24-7.

All the positive vibes, the sharp execution and deft playmaking changed sides in the second half. The 49ers played like they remembered they were the No. 1 seed and playing in front of a partisan crowd. The attention to detail and playmaking focus went into the ocean for the Lions.

One funky play changed the course of the game. 49ers QB Brock Purdy overthrew wideout Brandon Aiyuk on a deep ball, but the ball ricocheted off the facemask of Lions CB Kindle Vildor and back into Aiyuk’s hands. It was the momentum-changer the 49ers desperately needed.

The Lions never recovered. Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled away the ball on the very next play, which led to another quick 49ers touchdown. Josh Reynolds dropped two great throws from Jared Goff that ended drives. Goff missed Amon-Ra St. Brown on another fourth down on a poorly executed play, one where Dan Campbell chose not to kick a field goal for the second time in the half.

A late touchdown drive closed the score to 34-31, but the Niners iced the game by recovering the onside kick and ran out the clock.

The opportunities were there for the Lions, but the lack of execution and failure to continue doing the little things that gave them the early lead doomed them to a loss. Detroit’s magical season ends one step short of the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.