Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are headed to the NFC Championship Game for just the second time in franchise history.
Hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL Divisional Playoffs on Sunday, Detroit came out on top by the score of 31-23.
Goff was absolutely brilliant, completing 30-of-43 passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Stud rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs went for 114 total yards, including a game-breaking 31-yard touchdown run in the second half.
It’s obvious that pretty much the entire football world outside of Tampa Bay was rooting for the long-downtrodden Lions in this one. That will also be the case in next week’s NFC Championship Game against the favored San Francisco 49ers.
What a run it has been for Dan Campbell’s squad. A team that had been to just one conference title game in its history is now one win away from earning its first ever trip to the Super Bowl.
Related: 10 facts about last time Detroit Lions won a championship
NFL world reacts to Detroit Lions heading to NFC Championship Game
Once linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted Baker Mayfield late in the fourth quarter, reality was setting in. The Lions were headed to the conference title game.
Obviously, those watching the game had their reactions to a franchise-defining Detroit Lions team at home on Sunday.