The Detroit Lions are in the midst of one of their best seasons.
The team ended their NFL worst playoff win drought streak last week by defeating the Los Angeles Rams at home by a single point. It was Detroit’s first home playoff game in 30 years.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town this weekend, could the Lions get to the conference title match? And would this be their first appearance in the NFC Championship Game?
When Was the Last Time the Lions Made the NFC Championship Game?
Although the Lions are one of four NFL franchises to never play in a Super Bowl, they have been to an NFC Championship Game before in the modern era of football.
They have only been one time before, in 1991, during the same season that saw them win their first playoff game since 1957.
In the 1991 season, the Lions finished 12-4, setting a new franchise record for wins in a season. They won the NFC Central, their first division title and playoff appearance since 1983. It also marked the team’s first winning season since 1983.
The Lions earned a bye into the Divisional Round, where they faced the Cowboys, who had beaten the Bears the week before to get their first playoff win since 1982.
In the win over Dallas, quarterback Erik Kramer threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, and running back Barry Sanders closed the scoring with a 47-yard touchdown run for a 38–6 victory.
It was the Lions’ first postseason victory since they won their last league championship in 1957. And their last postseason victory until Jan. 14, 2024.
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The win earned the Lions a return trip to Washington for the NFC Championship Game and a chance to avenge the 45–0 defeat in the season opener.
Washington jumped to an early 10–0 lead when Kramer was sacked and fumbled on the Lions’ first possession, then was intercepted on the second.
The Lions made a touchdown pass to receiver Willie Green and a field goal by kicker Eddie Murray in the second quarter to stay within one score at the half but failed to score again as Washington scored 24 points in the second half to put the game away.
The Lions will now host a second-round playoff game after beating the Rams at Ford Field, thanks to the Packers’ upset win over the Cowboys. Dallas was the No. 2 seed in the NFC and would have hosted the Lions in the Divisional Round.
The Lions won the Week 6 matchup against the Buccaneers 20-6 at Raymond James Stadium. Jared Goff threw for a season-high 353 yards and tossed two touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 12 catches for 124 yards and a score. Mayfield was held to 206 yards, and he threw an interception to Detroit cornerback Will Harris.
The teams will meet at Ford Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.
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