The Detroit Lions started their 2023 NFL season as a young team with elevated expectations, as the end of last season infused the organization with hope that lessons learned during the second half of 2022 could carry over into a new year.
A culmination of belief, consistent preparation, hard work and high-quality coaching resulted in Dan Campbell leading his football team into a showdown with the San Francisco 49ers, one of the elite franchises in the NFL.
All season, Detroit’s fans traveled all over the country, bearing witness to a team that shed many of the negative labels that dominated perceptions of the franchise for decades.
Detroit’s performance in the first half was among its best all season. It raced out to a three-touchdown lead, led by its plethora of offensive weapons.
Unfortunately, third quarter woes again erased all the momentum gained in the first thirty minutes.
San Francisco surged in the final 30 minutes and the Lions’ defense had little to no answers.
After 60 minutes of action in the NFC Championship Game, the Lions were defeated, 34-31, ending their hopes of playing for a Lombardi Trophy.
Here are several takeaways from the Lions crushing, season-ending loss to the 49ers.
Detroit’s second-year wideout has all the potential to be among the most explosive offensive weapons in the league.
After working his way back from suspension and dedicating himself to improving, his role in the offense has been steadily increasing. Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently expressed the potential was there for the speedy wideout to have a breakout performance quite soon.
On Detroit’s first offensive possession, after the 49ers won the coin toss and deferred, Ben Johnson called the wideout’s number on the fourth play of the game.
After two successful run plays to David Montgomery and a Sam LaPorta reception, Williams took a handoff and turned on the jets, scampering 42 yards for a quick touchdown.
Offensive line gave Goff plenty of time in first quarter
After a missed Jake Moody field goal, Detroit’s offense took advantage of early momentum in the first quarter with another touchdown on its next possession.
Despite Jonah Jackson being out, Detroit’s offensive line allowed Goff enough time to survey the landscape and run the offense.
The 49ers’ defensive line, which had success all season bringing pressure just rushing four, struggled early to wreak havoc against Goff.
Detroit took a 14-0 lead on an 11-play, 62-yard scoring drive that spanned just a little over five minutes.
