The Detroit Lions and their fans will surely have nightmares about this year’s NFC Championship Game. It was a game they seemingly had in the bag, entering the second half with a comfortable lead of 24-7 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the second half turned out to be entirely different, and Detroit ended up losing 34-31. Despite the heartbreaking loss, there is reason for optimism for the Lions’ future.
General Manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have done an impressive job setting up the team for success. Detroit is a franchise that has never been expected to achieve much, but they are now learning how to win. While it stings to come so close to their first Super Bowl appearance, the Lions have some talented players on both sides of the ball and an experienced quarterback in Jared Goff, who has had some postseason success in the past. Once they learn to capitalize on their opportunities and assert their dominance, the Lions could become a dangerous team.
It was a rocky start for Campbell in Detroit, especially with his initial press conferences, but Holmes made the right decision in hiring the former Lions tight end. In just three years, the Lions went from a three-win team to a nine-win team, and this season they achieved an impressive 12 wins under Campbell’s leadership. Additionally, they had a 2-1 record in their first postseason appearance with Campbell at the helm. While they were defeated by a more experienced team, these heart-crushing losses are often part of the process.
Campbell’s authenticity and honesty are qualities that have made him stand out in Detroit. Despite the devastating loss, he kept it real and acknowledged that there are no guarantees they will be back in the same position again. However, he firmly believes in the team’s potential. From an outsider’s perspective, it certainly looks like the Lions will be competitive in the NFC for the next few years.
Even if the Lions don’t make it back to the NFC Championship Game next year, they are likely to be among the top teams in the conference. History has shown that making it to the playoffs is what matters most, as anything is possible from there. Just look at the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens, who all won Super Bowls as wild-card teams. The regular season record doesn’t always determine success in the playoffs.
The Lions have their quarterback in Jared Goff for at least another guaranteed season, and it seems like he will be around for the long haul. The offense is loaded with young talent, with many key contributors like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs all being 24 years old or younger. There is no reason why this offense can’t continue to grow and develop into a perennial threat in the NFC over the next year or two. By making smart draft picks to bolster the defense, the Lions could find themselves back in the NFC Championship Game sooner than expected.
While the loss in the NFC Championship Game was undoubtedly painful for the Detroit Lions and their fans, there is a bright future ahead. The team has the right pieces in place and a coaching staff that knows how to build a winning culture. With continued growth and development, the Lions could become a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. So, despite the nightmares from this year’s loss, there is plenty of hope for the Lions moving forward.
