49ers Move On To Super Bowl 58 After Beating Lions in NFC Championship Game

Liam O'Connor

January 30, 2024

(Levis Stadium)

In Santa Clara, the San Francisco 49ers faced a daunting 17-point deficit against the Detroit Lions as they headed to the locker room at halftime. The first half was marked by the Lions dominating on both ends of the field, leading to a range of emotions from frustration to anger and embarrassment among the 49ers players and coaching staff. 

“I was yelling at everyone in the locker room,” said 49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa in a postgame interview.

With a veteran team playing in their fourth NFC Championship Game in five years, the 49ers knew the Lions wouldn't be able to sustain their lead for long. Coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized the need for increased aggression in all aspects of the game for the second half, stating.

Despite being known and being built as a team to dominate opponents with early leads throughout the season, the 49ers found themselves in a challenging position that showcased their newfound resilience. 

Their abilities were on full display Sunday night when they staged an extraordinary comeback, erasing the 17-point deficit in just 12 minutes of game time. The team scored 27 consecutive second-half points, securing a remarkable 34-31 victory and claiming their eighth NFC championship, tied for the second most in league history.

The team executed key plays, including a 51-yard catch by Brandon Aiyuk, a forced fumble by safety Tashaun Gipson, and crucial third down adjustments by the defense. Lions head coach Dan Campbell was highly criticized for calling passing plays on two 4th down plays that left 6 points off the board for Detroit. 

In the second half, Quarterback Brock Purdy, who faced a challenging first half, played a pivotal role in the comeback, throwing for 174 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 52 yards in the final 30 minutes.

The Niners, now holding the record for the most playoff wins in NFL history, aim to cap off the season with a Super Bowl triumph. This win punched San Francisco's ticket to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, setting up a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, the same team they faced in Super Bowl LIV in 2019. The 49ers lost that game 31-20 after being up 20-10 with under eight minutes left in the game. They will look to get revenge after what has been a salty four years.