Lions vs. Buccaneers score, takeaways: Jared Goff, clutch 'D' lift Detroit to first NFC title game since 1991

Goff led the Lions on three consecutive second half drives that ended in touchdowns

In an instant classic, the Detroit Lions recorded a 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday's NFC divisional round matchup. Dan Campbell's team will now travel to San Francisco next Sunday to face the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. The winner will represent the conference in Super Bowl LVIII. 

Detroit punched its ticket to San Francisco when linebacker Derrick Barnes picked off Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with 1:35 left. 

Tied through three quarters, the Lions built a 31-17 lead on fourth-quarter touchdowns by Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Buccaneers refused to give in, however, making it a one possession game on Mayfield's touchdown pass to Mike Evans with 4:37 left (the two were unable to connect on Tampa's ensuing two-point conversion try). 

The Buccaneers' offense got one last shot after their defense forced a punt on the Lions' next drive. But the Lions iced the game when Barnes recorded Detroit's second pick of Mayfield, who threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Mayfield's counterpart, Jared Goff, threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns while directing a Lions' offense that scored touchdowns on three straight drives in the second half.  

Here are our takeaways from this epic game.

Why the Lions won 

Detroit's offense took control of the game in the second half, while its defense came up with two big stops to preserve the win. 

After an underwhelming first half -- the teams were tied 10-10 at the break -- the Lions' offense caught fire in the second half. They did so by finding the soft spots in the middle of Tampa Bay's defense. Goff, who threw for 99 yards in the first half, threw for 188 in the second half. A large chunk of that production came on completions to St. Brown, who had 5 catches for 59 yards in the second half after just 18 yards on 3 grabs in the game's first 30 minutes. Tight end Sam LaPorta also came up big with 65 yards on 9 catches.

Goff's success through the air opened things up for the Lions' running game, which came up with a major fourth-down score on Craig Reynolds' 1-yard plunge that gave Detroit a 17-10 lead late in the third quarter. 

Tampa Bay tied the scored on its next drive as the teams headed into the final quarter tied 17-17, but the Lions countered with two more drives in the fourth that ended up in the Buccaneers' end zone. One of the game's biggest plays during these sequences was a 16-yard completion from Goff to St. Brown on a 3rd-and-15 play that helped set up the duo's go-ahead score moments later. 

Why the Buccaneers lost 

Tampa Bay battled, but did not execute at a high enough level to pull off the upset. A missed field goal in the first half hurt, along with Aidan Hutchinson's sack of Mayfield on the Buccaneers' first drive of the second half that knocked the Bucs out of field goal range. 

They had their moments, but the Buccaneers defense's inability to get off the field during the Lions' second half scoring spree was critical. They specifically struggled to prevent big plays on the Lions' third consecutive scoring drive that included four plays of at least 11 yards. 

Now that we've covered all that, Todd Bowles and his team deserves a ton of credit for pushing the Lions to the brink. Mayfield didn't win, but his performance Sunday was further evidence that he is the long-term answer at quarterback in Tampa. Mayfield, as he was all year, was complemented by the brilliance of Evans, a future Hall of Fame wideout who had eight catches for 147 yards and a score in what was possibly his final game in a Buccaneers uniform. 

Turning point 

As Goff said afterwards, the Lions' ability to play complementary football was one of the biggest differences in the game. 

After Tampa Bay tied the score just before the end of the third quarter, the Lions' offense proceeded to drive 75 yards on just five plays and re-gained the lead on Gibbs' touchdown. Detroit's defense then forced Mayfield into three straight incompletions, leading to a Buccaneers punt. 

With the ball and a 24-17 lead, the Lions finally got some separation by embarking on a 10-play, 89-yard drive that included five big completions from Goff and his second touchdown pass of the day. 

Play of the game 

In a game that had a lot of big plays, the biggest one was Barnes' pick of Mayfield that sent the Lions to the NFC title game. On the play, Barnes stepped in front of Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton before catching and securing the pick. 

Quotables 

"I just love my guys. When you play with guys like him (Goff) and all those guys in that locker room, you're going to find a way. ... It's incredible, it's hard to put in to words, but with [Goff] at the helm, we're not done yet." -- Lions center Frank Ragnow (during his postgame interview with NBC), who played through a knee injury and was the key blocker on Reynolds' fourth-down touchdown run 

"I get to go back home a little bit. Play in front of some friends and family. They're a great team, and it will be a great matchup." -- Goff, a California native, told NBC Sports when asked about the upcoming matchup with the 49ers 

"It sucks. I feel like my heart just got ripped out," -- Mayfield, via NFL Media 

What's next 

The Lions will play in their first NFC Championship Game since 1991, when they fell to eventual champion Washington. Detroit is vying to play in its first-ever Super Bowl and is also hoping to snap its 66-year title drought. 

Tampa Bay's season is over, but it has a lot of be proud of. The Buccaneers' 2023 season included the franchise's third straight division title and a Super Wild Card Weekend win over the defending NFC champion Eagles. 

[Jan 21, 2024 at 6:21 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

The Lions have 2 playoff wins this season… they had 1 in their previous 65 seasons combined. 

[Jan 21, 2024 at 6:20 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

FINAL Lions 31 Buccaneers 23

Total yards: TB 408 DET 391
First downs: TB 23 DET 26
Third downs: TB 4-12 DET 6-14
Turnovers: TB 2 DET 0
TOP: TB 28:00 DET 32:00

Baker Mayfield 26/41 349 yards 3 TDs 2 INTs
Jared Goff 30/43 287 yards 2 TDs

Rachaad White 9 carries 55 yards
Jahmyr Gibbs 9 carries 74 yards 1 TD
David Montgomery 10 carries 33 yards

Mike Evans 8 catches 147 yards 1 TD
Cade Otton 5 catches 65 yards 1 TD
Amon-Ra St. Brown 8 catches 77 yards 1 TD
Sam LaPorta 9 catches 65 yards

[Jan 21, 2024 at 6:12 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Baker Mayfield INT seals Lions win

Two plays into what could have been the game-tying drive, Mayfield throws a pick!

The Lions are headed to the NFC Championship game!

[Jan 21, 2024 at 6:07 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Buccaneers have a chance at two-minute warning

Tampa Bay's defense holds Detroit to 30 yards on five plays. 2:38 comes off the clock and one TB timeout used.

Bucs get the ball back at their own 10-yard line with 1:59 remaining and one timeout to utilize. BUT, they need eight points to tie the game.

31-23 Bucs

[Jan 21, 2024 at 6:05 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Goodness, an Illegal Use of Hands penalty negates a four-yard sack for the Buccaneers.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:58 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Buccaneers not done yet!

Just when you thought the Lions may have put the game on ice with a 14-point lead, Baker leads the Bucs 75 yards down the field on 9 plays, and hits Mike Evans for a 16-yard score. Mayfield now has three passing touchdowns, and clearly steps up in these must-throw situations.

Bucs go for two, and Mayfield can't hook up with Evans for a second time. 

31-23 Lions 4:37 remaining in the game. 

Bucs have 2 timeouts, Lions have 3 timeouts. 

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:50 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions push lead to double digits

With momentum on their side, Jared Goff drives the Lions 89 yards down the field on 10 plays, and finds Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 9-yard TD. 

31-17 Lions 6:22 remaining in the game.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:39 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Buccaneers go three-and-out

After both teams traded TDs, the Buccaneers go three-and-out. Mayfield completed 1 of his 3 passing attempts, and the Lions get the ball back with a pretty big opportunity.

Up 7 points with 12 minutes remaining in the game, a long TD drive could make a comeback tough for TB.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:33 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions immediately punch back with long Gibbs TD

After the Bucs quieted Ford Field with a 75-yard TD drive, the Lions put together a 75-yard TD drive of their own. Three of five plays on this possession went for at least 12 yards, as Tampa Bay's defense didn't look ready. 

Jahmyr Gibbs finishes it off with this 31-yard TD run. 

24-17 Lions with 13:13 remaining in the fourth quarter

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:24 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Baker magic ties the game late in the third

Baker Mayfield is heating up! Bucs go 75 yards down the field on 7 plays, and Rachaad White scores on a screen on third-and-10 when the Lions go all-out blitz. Mayfield handled it perfectly.

Mayfield was incredible this drive. He's a gamer that craves this moment.

17-17 apiece, 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:20 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

This may be the throw of the game. Incredible. 

[Jan 21, 2024 at 5:16 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Craig Reynolds TD puts Lions ahead

The Lions marched 64 yards down the field on 10 plays, and elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Bucs' 1-yard line. In comes backup RB Craig Reynolds, who was the leading rusher vs. TB earlier this year, and he punches it in for the first TD of the second half. 

17-10 Lions, 3:48 remaining in the third quarter

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:52 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions punt after penalty kills drive

Lions went three-and-out on their first drive of the second half. A chop block penalty on David Montgomery took away a 25-yard pickup from Josh Reynolds on third-and-10. Goff couldn't covert on the ensuing third-and-17. 

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:48 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Lions OG Jonah Jackson (knee) has been downgraded to OUT

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:48 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Aidan Hutchinson sack spoils Bucs first drive of second half

Tampa Bay was forced to punt on its first drive of the second half after picking up 37 yards, thanks to an Aidan Hutchinson sack on third-and-4 that lost the Bucs' 9 yards.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:35 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Halftime: TB 10 DET 10

Total yards: TB 233 DET 134
First downs: TB 11 DET 10
Third downs: TB 3-7 DET 4-8
Red zone: TB 1-1 DET 1-2
Penalties: TB 3-23 yards DET 0
Turnovers: TB 1 DET 0
TOP: TB 15:37 DET 14:23

Baker Mayfield 13/18 181 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Jared Goff 14/22 99 yards 1 TD

Rachaad White 5 carries 39 yards
Jahmyr Gibbs 4 carries 17 yards
David Montgomery 5 carries 13 yards

Mike Evans 4 catches 97 yards
Sam LaPorta 5 catches 46 yards
Amon-Ra St. Brown 3 catches 18 yards

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:25 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Bucs finally strike with 1:13 drive before halftime

Incredible. Mayfield leads the Bucs offense 92 yards down the field on 7 plays, and he finds Cade Otton for a 2-yard score. Drive took 1:13. Mike Evans had a 27-yard pickup, and 29-yard pickup on back-to-back plays. 

Tie game just before halftime!

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:22 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

WOW

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:21 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Huge run from Baker.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:17 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Buccaneers get the ball back with 1:28 remaining before halftime. Baker Mayfield has all 3 timeouts to utilize.

[Jan 21, 2024 at 4:05 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Bucs miss field goal

Chase McLaughlin hit the left upright on a 50-yard field goal attempt. Felt like the Bucs needed that. The miss caps a 9-play, 55-yard drive. 

Lions up 10-3 with 2:24 remaining in the second quarter

[Jan 21, 2024 at 3:56 pm ET · Jordan Dajani]

Teams trade punts after three straight scoring drives

After two FGs and the Reynolds TD, both teams trade punts. Bucs went three-and-out that felt longer due to a penalty on third down, and the Lions went 24 yards on 7 plays. Amon-Ra St. Brown dropped a pass on third-and-10.

10-3 Lions, 6:44 remaining in the second quarter.