In the 2023-24 season, the Detroit Lions were one of the most complete teams in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson had put together one of the most dangerous offenses in league history. The defense was similarly special, leading to a 12-5 record with Super Bowl hopes on the line.
However, they collapsed in a disastrous second half in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers . Looking back on that game, former Lions receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones shared his thoughts on why the team blew a 17-point lead and the game itself.
Speaking to former NFL stars Leonard Fournette and Jarvis Landry of the 4th And South Podcast , Peoples-Jones said , "It was tough because we were so close. There have been some things that rubbed me the wrong way earlier in the year when it comes to practice expectations.
"It was hard practices… But when players get injured, not available for playoff games, not having everybody ready, fresh, and healthy because of the practices, I feel like we should have and could've won that game."
Peoples-Jones has every right to still be upset at the loss. The Lions had unquestionably won the first half, going into the locker room up 24-7.
Ben Johnson's game plan was aggressive, and it worked to perfection… at first.
Before the 49ers knew it, they were down 14-0. Detroit was moving the ball seamlessly down the field, as they'd done the whole season, as seen in their 93.4 PFN Offensive Impact Grade.
Everything changed in the second half.
The Lions started to look tired, possibly due to all the intense practices Peoples-Jones had mentioned.
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All of a sudden, a missed pass breakup from Kindle Vildor and a Brandon Aiyuk touchdown put the 49ers down just seven points.
Following a Gibbs fumble and failed 4th-down conversion attempts, Detroit found themselves trailing and wouldn't score another point.
Final score: 34-31 going the Niners' way.
Speaking on the failed 4th-down conversion attempts, Peoples-Jones remarked, "It was tough because that was the culture of the team. It was an aggressive mentality… There were a couple of moments where I don't feel like you can always be in that (mindset)."
Since then, the Lions missed the playoffs in 2025, and the team hasn't looked the same since losing both Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to HC roles.
However, the mission remains the same for 2026: win the Super Bowl. Campbell and the Lions will have their work cut out for them in a stacked NFC North.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
