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.

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: