5 Things We Learned About the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game

5. Hunted not the Hunter Anymore

After the loss, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told his team this may have been their best shot at winning it all. The Lions snuck up on people in 2023, which will not happen in 2024. It’s a different mentality to be the hunted than the hunter.

2. Could Not Stop the Second Half Momentum

Momentum is a funny thing. The Lions had all the momentum in the first half as they raced out to a 24-7 lead. However, the second half was all 49ers as they went on a 27-0 run. The Lions tried and failed to recapture ‘Uncle Mo,’ but it ended up biting them in the rear end.

3. Moment was Too Big

The Lions choked. There are no two ways around it. Detroit missed every opportunity to put the 49ers away, and the moment proved too big for the young team trying to make the Super Bowl. There were poor coaching decisions, dropped passes, and bounces that did not go their way.

4. Run Game is Pretty Darn Good

The Lions did have some success on Sunday, and it came on the ground as Detroit ran the ball 29 times for 182 yards. They have two outstanding running backs and used wide receiver Jameson Williams in the run game.

5. Hunted not the Hunter Anymore

After the loss, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told his team this may have been their best shot at winning it all. The Lions snuck up on people in 2023, which will not happen in 2024. It’s a different mentality to be the hunted than the hunter.