For the second straight week, the San Francisco 49ers used a thrilling second-half comeback to advance to the postseason. However, on Sunday, their comeback helped secure not only a win but also a ticket to the Super Bowl.
After a rough first half, the 49ers found themselves trailing by 17 points at halftime to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship. However, a strong second-half performance from Brock Purdy, some drops from the Lions and questionable decisions from Dan Campbell, the 49ers surged to a fiery comeback on their way to a 34-31 win in the NFC championship.
Before the 49ers prepare for their date with the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas, here’s a look at all the good and bad from the 49ers’ 34-31 win over the Lions in the NFC championship.
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Good: Brock Purdy's second half
For the second straight week, Brock Purdy struggled in the first half. Through the first two quarters, Purdy threw for 93 yards on 7-of-15 passing with an interception. Behind Purdy’s rough first half, the 49ers found themselves trailing by 17 points.
For the second straight week, the second half was a different story for Purdy and the 49ers. Purdy looked in control in the second half, throwing for 174 yards on 13-of-16 passing with a touchdown toss to Brandon Aiyuk.
Good: Brock Purdy running
Although you wouldn’t classify Brock Purdy as a dual-threat quarterback, the second-year passer relied on his legs on Sunday night against the Lions and it paid off.
Purdy scrambled three different times for 52 yards on the ground with all three of his runs going for clutch first downs.
Bad: 49ers' run defense
On the way to a 17-point advantage in the first half, the Lions’ tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs punished the 49ers on the ground. Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave were getting moved around by the Lions’ interior offensive line, while Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw had to make tackles at the next level.
On the opening drive of the game, the Lions used the speed of Jameson Williams on an end around where Nick Bosa bit inside and lost the edge.
The Lions averaged 6.3 yards per carry on the ground while the combination of Montgomery and Gibbs racked up 138 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Good: Steve Wilks' second half adjustments
After giving up 24 points in the first half, the 49ers defense looked in trouble. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson outcoached 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks through the first two quarters. However, similar to what he’s done all season, Wilks and the 49ers defense came through in the second half.
On two separate fourth down attempts, the 49ers defense held tough, forcing turnovers on downs when Dan Campbell gambled.
While momentum was swinging in favor of the 49ers in the second half, their defense capitalized. On the first play of a new drive for the Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs put the ball on the ground and Arik Armstead came up with a clutch fumble recovery.
Good: Brandon Aiyuk
Bad: Defensive Line
Bad: Jake Moody
For the third straight game, Jake Moody lined up for a field goal and missed. After a solid rookie campaign, Moody has turned shakey in the postseason.
Moody knocked down two more field goals following his opening miss, along with four extra points. Despite his encouraging finish to the game, Moody has turned into a question mark heading into the Super Bowl.
