Lions prove capable of competing 'with the big boys' by booking second-ever trip to NFC title game

The roar is indeed restored in the Motor City.

The Detroit Lions slammed the gas pedal in the second half, generating three consecutive touchdowns to drive past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23, at Ford Field. Detroit now heads to its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season where the Lions will face the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers.

"I envisioned that we would have a chance to compete with the big boys, and that's where we're at," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Sunday in his postgame news conference. "All you've got to do is get in. It's about placing yourself in the very best position to where you can move. ... Here we are. Now, we get a chance to go to San Francisco. We know what kind of team that is, but we're in a great position. We've got a great opportunity."

A week ago, the Lions got off to a hot start. Sunday, it was the inverse. Detroit struggled to move the ball for spells in the first half, heading to the break, 10-10. After a three-and-out on the opening possession, Ben Johnson's offense kicked into fifth gear.

Jared Goff diced up the Bucs' defense, converting big third downs and propelling a 10-play 64-yard TD drive capped with a Craig Reynolds 1-yard plunge. After Baker Mayfield responded for Tampa, it was rookie Jahmyr Gibbs' turn. The dynamic back zoomed through the defense. On second-and-2 from the 31, Gibbs cut into a massive hole, dashed to the second level, put a move on All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and burned for a TD.

After Aaron Glenn's defense forced a three-and-out, Goff cooked the Bucs. The QB found checkdowns and hit Jameson Williams for 24 yards to get the Lions out of trouble. On a pivotal third-and-15, Goff looked for his favorite target, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught a