Detroit Lions' trip to NFC Championship has fans excited beyond belief

Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions are one win away from their first trip ever to the Super Bowl after knocking out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in the NFC divisional round.

The Lions and Buccaneers traded blows as the teams were tied at the end of the first, second and third quarters, but a a late burst from Detroit's offense was enough to be the difference. The Lions scored two touchdowns on a long Jahmyr Gibbs run and a fade to Amon-Ra St. Brown on the first two drives of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 31-17 with 6:22 left.

The Buccaneers were able to score one touchdown to make it a one-possession game, but Derrick Barnes finished the game off by intercepting a Baker Mayfield pass over the middle on Tampa's final possession of the game.

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The turnover sent the soldout crowd inside Ford Field into wild celebration. For the second straight week, Lions fans created a intimidating atmosphere with nonstop, ear-splitting, cheers all game. Once Jared Goff kneeled down for the final time, streamers and small fireworks inside Ford Field went off to signify the historic moment.

The crowd lingered inside the building as long as they could, continuing to cheer and chant as loud as they could.

Now, the Lions have a date with the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers, who advanced to the NFC Championship with a 24-21 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. The Lions are big underdogs to the 49ers, who enter the game with a 13-5 record.

The Lions now stand just 60 minutes away from the first trip to the Super Bowl ever, and the first chance at an NFL championship since 1957. Lions fans celebrating the win and NFL fans tuning in seemed to be in disbelief that the Lions — yes, the Lions — are this close to the Big Game after decades of futility.

But Detroit fans have unwavering belief in this Lions team, which has taken the franchise to heights not before seen this century, despite being listed as underdogs in the NFC title game.

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Now, the party is on in Detroit, as Lions fans celebrate being in the final four with a legitimate chance to win it all for the first time since 1992.

Center Frank Ragnow received some love after playing through an apparent knee injury he suffered in the second quarter. Ragnow did not miss an offensive snap in the second half and continued to hold his own against Vita Vea in the middle.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fans in disbelief celebrating trip to NFC Championship

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