The Detroit Lions had a 17-point halftime lead against the San Francisco 49ers (24-7) in the NFC Championship until they unraveled in the second half and lost 34-31. With the loss, Detroit broke a Green Bay Packers record in the NFC Championship Game by blowing a 17-point when leading at the half.
Green Bay had a 16-point lead at halftime in 2014 in the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, until they lost 28-22 in overtime against Seattle. The Packers fanbase remembers that game well, unfortunately.
When the Detroit Lions were leading by 17 points at halftime against the San Francisco 49ers, teams were 17-0 all-time in Championship Games when they had a 17 or more-point lead at halftime. Detroit finished the season 12-5 and won the NFC North. There were some decisions in this football game that ultimately cost the Lions.
When Detroit was trailing to San Francisco 27-24 in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-3, instead of kicking a field goal, Dan Campbell went for it and the play didn’t work out and San Francisco scored a touchdown to put the game on ice.
Yes, the Lions did score with under a minute to go in the game. People were joking on social media that Brandon Bostick needed to come out of retirement for the onside kick to help the Lions recover it, but Packers fans have too much PTSD from that moment.
Green Bay Packers Fans and Other NFL Fans Respond to the Detroit Lions Collapse in the NFC Championship Game Against the San Francisco 49ers
There were a lot of people who felt bad for the Lions collapsing in the second half except for fans like the Packers and other NFC North teams. Some people were very critical of Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Here is what some of the fans had to say about the ultimate choke job:
Lions always gonna Lion.
— Robin Adams (@theotherRobin19) January 29, 2024
49ers 17-point comeback win against the Detroit Lions is the greatest comeback in NFC Championship game history since… the 49ers when they came back down 17-0 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2012.
— Steph Sanchez (@Steph49K) January 29, 2024
49ers 17-point comeback win against the Detroit Lions is the greatest comeback in NFC Championship game history since… the 49ers when they came back down 17-0 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2012.
— Steph Sanchez (@Steph49K) January 29, 2024
With the win for the 49ers, they will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on February 11, As for the Detroit Lions, their magical season ends here and Green Bay Packers fans will feel good about them collapsing and wondering if they were just a one-year wonder or not.