Lions hold on to reach first NFC championship in 32 years

Jared Goff tossed two touchdown passes as the Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in a divisional-round playoff game on Sunday,

propelling the struggling franchise to the NFC championship for the first time in 32 years and only the second time in franchise history.

The Lions (14-5) won two playoff games in a single season for the first time since 1957,

when they won the NFL championship.

They will face San Francisco, the NFC’s top seed, next Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl, something they have never played in.

and Goff extended it a two-TD lead by connecting with Amon-Ra.St. Brown for a 9-yard score with 6:22 left.

Baker Mayfield threw three TD passes for Tampa Bay (10-9),

including a 16-yard toss to Mike Evans that got the Bucs within one score with 4:37 left.

Detroit failed to run out the clock on offense, giving Tampa Bay one last shot,

but Mayfield’s pass over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Barnes,

the quarterback’s second interception of the day.

The Lions kneeled to run out the time while their fans stood, yelled, and twirled white towels.

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