Lions' NFC Championship Loss Sparks Controversy Over Fourth-Down Decisions

Despite the defeat, Detroit's prospects for 2024 remain promising with key staff retention.

The Detroit Lions lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers after leading 24-7 at halftime.
Head coach Dan Campbell's decision to go for it on multiple fourth downs in the second half has been criticized.
The first fourth-down attempt came after the 49ers scored a field goal at the start of the second half, and the Lions could have kicked their own field goal to maintain a three-score lead.
Another controversial fourth-down call came with around seven-and-a-half minutes to play, when the Lions were trailing 27-24.
Despite the loss, the Lions' trajectory for 2024 and beyond looks strong, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson staying on the coaching staff.