6 takeaways from the Lions’ NFC Championship loss to the 49ers

The approaching months will likely be troublesome for the Detroit Lions.

The Lions haven’t been on this scenario within the twenty first century. We’re accustomed to disappointing losses amid disappointing seasons. Very not often have we skilled a loss like this.

At one cut-off date, the Lions had a stranglehold on this recreation. Up 24-7 at halftime, the Lions had dominated the primary half and regarded primed for the massive stage in two weeks time. As an alternative, the group collapsed in gut-wrenching trend, failing to attain some extent till the dying moments of the sport. All of the hope from this profitable season was snuffed out.

One other offseason lies forward. The Lions bear new crowns—NFC North winners, playoff winners—however for the time being, it does little to ease the woe from this loss.

For the ultimate time this season, let’s study some takeaways.

Now what?

It could have been an thrilling season stuffed with progress from these Lions, nevertheless it ends the identical manner: trying towards the following season. This may sting all offseason, particularly with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson probably leaving for a head teaching gig—and taking some assistant coaches with him as well. It’s optimistic to say that the Lions will likely be right here once more, and the items are definitely there, however there’ll proceed to be that lingering doubt that this was all we get: a season stuffed with emotion ending in distress.

I genuinely hope that that is just the start for these Lions. If something, I’m upset with the way it ended. The Lions had the victory and a Tremendous Bowl look of their grasp. Coming so shut and failing feels simply as dangerous as by no means reaching this level within the first place. But that can be one thing for private progress. Not ought to enjoying .500 soccer be the benchmark for the Lions. That is the brightest the Lions have been in many years. Wallowing within the gloom will obtain little, and it does a disservice to the season that was. We must be pleased and pleased with what was achieved, even when the ending is bittersweet.

Embarrassing within the nationwide highlight

A lot of the nation was supporting a Detroit Lions Tremendous Bowl look, particularly within the wake of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs reserving their ticket earlier within the day. For one, it could have meant a recent face within the large dance. It additionally had the billing of an thrilling matchup, a rematch of the season opener. The NFL season began with Lions versus Chiefs and it may have ended with Lions versus Chiefs.

As an alternative, the Lions collapsed in historic and embarrassing trend. This Lions group received’t be remembered nationally for his or her breakthrough season. They are going to as an alternative be recognized for blowing one of many largest halftime leads in convention championship historical past. For a franchise that has fought extremely exhausting to take away the stain of the earlier regime’s struggles, it definitely places a damper on issues. The Lions had an opportunity to actually cement themselves as a decent risk within the eyes of the nationwide media and so they blew it. This group is younger sufficient and gifted sufficient to return thus far, however till such a time, the Lions could have their doubters and critics.

Dan Campbell mismanages the sport—however not the way you suppose

Dan Campbell will catch flak for the inevitable future for his selections to go for it on fourth down, twice within the second half. Nonetheless, I feel the blame towards Campbell largely lies elsewhere.

The primary try was an incompletion to Josh Reynolds that Reynolds flat-out dropped. The Lions, up 24-10 on the time, handed up a 45-yard subject aim try. Analytics agreed with the choice (not factoring in kicker Michael Badgley, both):

The second try was following the third quarter collapse, as Detroit now trailed 27-24. Confronted with a fourth-and-3 from the San Francisco 30, the Lions once more went for it and once more did not convert. The win likelihood metrics as soon as once more supported the choice:

Everyone seems to be in a frenzy on-line about how Dan Campbell value the Lions a visit to the Tremendous Bowl due to not kicking in these conditions. But Badgley is just not a kicker that the teaching workers has had a lot religion in (which makes his 54-yarder in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams within the Wild Card much more stunning). Badgley in his profession is 37-of-48 from 40-to-49 yards. He was signed to the follow squad on December 29 after dropping the preseason kicking battle. The Lions didn’t depart six factors on the board—these had been removed from computerized. Jake Moody of the 49ers missed a 48-yard try himself earlier within the recreation.

My largest gripe with Campbell occurred on the ultimate Lions drive of the season. It was a drive that ended with a Jameson Williams landing, however the recreation was already doomed due to the prior play. On third down from the aim line, the Lions ran the ball up the center for a lack of two yards. The yardage was negligible within the grand scheme of issues, however the actual fault lies with the clock. Because of the rush try with one minute left, the Lions burned the primary of their three timeouts.

Although the Lions scored on the next play, they now needed to depend on an onside kick to return again. This was utterly avoidable and inexcusable. Had they saved the three timeouts, they’d a contingency plan: even with a failed onside kick, the protection may nonetheless probably power a three-and-out. The chances of successful in that scenario are nonetheless slim, nevertheless it a minimum of provides you room after a failed onside kick.

No execution, no excuses

You realize what actually value the Lions this recreation? Execution.

Josh Reynolds dropped two first down conversions that had been nicely inside his wheelhouse. Kindle Vildor had a gifted interception bounce off his facemask and into the arms of Brandon Aiyuk. Jahmyr Gibbs, after wowing the nation within the first half, fumbled the primary contact of the following drive. On protection, there have been missed tackles galore. Brock Purdy had 48 dashing yards because of an absence of wrapping up. Jack Fox had a booming kick that ought to have been downed on the one-yard line.

Benjamin Solak places it greatest:

The Lions had their justifiable share of missed moments to safe a victory, however everyone seems to be harping on Campbell’s subject aim selections. The fault lies throughout this recreation. If Reynolds secures that first down catch, then the narrative modifications. The Lions have the ball close to the San Francisco 20 with an opportunity so as to add a landing or a minimum of safe themselves a better subject aim. If Vildor catches the ball, then Aiyuk and the 49ers are usually not on the Detroit four-yard line. If Gibbs doesn’t fumble, then maybe the Lions reply with a drive of their very own and stem the bleeding.

The Lions didn’t lose this recreation due to Dan Campbell. They misplaced this recreation due to Dan Campbell and his gamers.

Time for (one other) secondary overhaul?

The Lions didn’t lose this recreation purely as a consequence of their secondary, nevertheless it has been a recurring challenge all season and leaves a critical lingering query mark coming into the offseason. This previous offseason was considered because the overhaul of the secondary, including veterans Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Emmanuel Moseley to pair with younger gamers Kerby Joseph, Jerry Jacobs, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Brian Department.

As an alternative, practically each participant outdoors of Department and Melifonwu struggled on a frequent foundation. Sutton was regularly crushed in protection with a nasty tendency to stumble at inopportune occasions. Gardner-Johnson missed a majority of the season, and even when he performed, missed tackles crept into his recreation. Moseley performed a mere two snaps earlier than tearing his different ACL. Joseph and Jacobs regressed, with Joseph usually making dangerous reads and Jacobs relegated to the bench. The Lions ended their season with Kindle Vildor as a starter—he was signed to the follow squad in mid-November!

With Gardner-Johnson and Moseley free brokers, coupled with veteran security Tracy Walker a possible cap casualty, the Lions may have to as soon as once more retool their secondary. One other beginning cornerback is required, although you could possibly make a robust argument for 2. Security depth will likely be wanted, even perhaps a starter as Melifonwu is just not a lock for the lineup.

The Lions have to do one thing large this offseason. This present group is not going to minimize it.

Goff caps off a formidable season

For all of the fault and blame that will likely be thrown round, Jared Goff deserves little of it. Had you been advised that the Lions would quit 27 unanswered factors within the second half, you’ll assume that Goff had dedicated a blunder or two.

As an alternative, Goff was wonderful on the day, although he solely totaled 273 yards and one landing. The connections with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta had been as soon as once more efficient, nevertheless it was the complimentary items that had been largely non-factors. Gibbs had simply three catches, whereas Williams and Reynolds had 25 yards a chunk. Goff was sacked twice, however neither play was egregious on his finish. The primary got here when Penei Sewell took the blitzing defender and left Nick Bosa unblocked. The second got here with Dan Skipper, enjoying proper deal with, getting bulldozed by Bosa.

It’s a disgrace the season ended on considered one of Goff’s higher video games, and it was a uncommon occasion the place the group round him failed.

John’s Turning Level: Kindle Vildor’s missed interception

In a recreation stuffed with errors, this one stands out as the most important, a real flip of destiny in a mere bounce. Vildor was extremely near recording an interception off of Purdy however missed it. Worse but, his failure allowed the ball to remain alive, and Aiyuk made a near-impossible dive to catch the ball.

As an alternative of an interception—which might have helped quell the sting of the prior failed fourth down try—the 49ers had been arrange on the doorstep for a simple landing. The turnover on downs was a tipping level, positive, however this play was the bursting of the dam. Every thing went fallacious from right here.