DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes Detroit Lions beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 Sunday in the divisional round of the postseason, leading the long-struggling franchise to the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 32 years.
The Lions (14-5) won two playoff games this season for the first time since 1957, when they won the NFL title last year. YesThey will face the NFC's top seed San Francisco next Sunday for a ticket to their never-before-seen Super Bowl appearance.
Jahmir Gibbs drove through a gap for a 31-yard score to break the tie early in the fourth quarter., And Goff made it a two-touchdown difference. Amon-Ra St. Brown tied the score on a nine-yard pass with 6:22 left in the game.
Baker Mayfield had three touchdown passes for Tampa Bay (10-9), including a 16-yarder to Mike Evans that pulled the Bucks within a score with 4:37 remaining. Detroit was unable to run out the clock on its possession, giving Tampa Bay one last chance, but Mayfield's pass over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Barnes, his second pass stolen from him on the day.
The Lions took a knee to run the clock as their fans stood up and cheered and waved their white towels.
“They're the best out of everybody. Look around now. They're not going to leave here for a while,” Goff said. “It's our last game against them and they're just as good today as they were last week. But they deserve it. They deserve to enjoy it and I hope to give them more as we move forward.
Goff completed 30 of 43 passes for 287 yards and ably led the Lions' offense in the second half, having long touchdown possessions on three consecutive drives. St. Brown caught eight passes for a total of 77 yards, and his score capped a commanding 10-play, 89-yard possession.
Mayfield completed 26 of 41 passes for 349 yards. His initial interception slipped into the hands of Mike Evans, and the second was a missed pass. Evans had eight receptions for a total of 147 yards, along with a touchdown.
When Washington beat them 41-10 on January 12, 1992, the Lions and their win-hungry fans were hoping their second appearance in the NFC title game would be better than their first.
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