(Allen Park) The Detroit Lions are having their best season in decades, but the players, coaches and some fans aren’t in the mood to celebrate.
The Lions missed an opportunity to make the Super Bowl for the first time ever, becoming the first team to blow a 17-point halftime lead in a conference final by losing 34-31 to the 49ers from San Francisco, Sunday.
We know we accomplished a lot this year, but our ultimate goal was the Super Bowl, and we were all set. There’s nothing worse than almost getting there. These are defeats you will always remember.
Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone
While nothing can take away the pain for the Lions, there is no doubt that they were the source of much celebration for millions of fans in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. They exceeded expectations, which were already higher than in recent years. And the future is bright.
“I think we brought hope,” admitted running back David Montgomery.
PHOTO KYLE TERADA, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
David Montgomery (5)
The Lions were the favorites to finish first in the Northern section of the National last summer. They delivered the goods, winning a first title in three decades, equaling their team record with 12 victories.
They played two playoff games at home for the first time in their history and won two post-season games for the first time since 1957. It was a second appearance in the association final for them, and a first in 32 years.
In that game, they led 24-7 early in the third quarter before letting the lead slip away.
“The feeling we had leaving the field, I don’t think any of us want to feel that again,” receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said. I think this feeling is enough to motivate us for next year. »
We had a good year overall, but it’s no use if you don’t win [le Super Bowl].
wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown
Despite this outcome, owner Sheila Ford Hamp made the right decision in hiring general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell three years ago, after years of poor leadership, both in management and on the sideline.
Holmes has been lucky more often than he has failed in three drafts, giving the organization a good foundation on which to build, both on offense and defense.
Campbell’s gambles led the Lions to a season-high 62 first plays on fourth down in three seasons. He guided his charges to 22 victories in their last 30 meetings. These risky decisions, however, did not bear fruit against the 49ers.
The Lions had a chance to restore their 17-point lead midway through the third quarter, but Campbell opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 at the 28-yard line rather than sending kicker Michael Badgley in for a try. placement.
Josh Reynolds dropped an inaccurate pass from Jared Goff. Reynolds dropped another pass later in the third quarter.
PHOTO DAVID J. PHILLIP, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ambry Thomas and Josh Reynolds
“I definitely didn’t help,” Reynolds admitted Monday, as he and his teammates emptied their lockers.
Trailing by three points midway through the fourth quarter, Campbell tried again, this time on fourth and three at the 30 line. But Goff was unable to complete his pass due to pressure.
“You want to make the most of every opportunity. We had an opportunity, and we just couldn’t put the finishing touches on it,” Goff said. It is sad. »
Campbell defended his decisions, including going for the ground during the club’s final offensive sequence.
“I bet and I lost,” he admitted during his end-of-season press conference.