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Drops — on offense and defense — doom Detroit Lions in NFC championship game
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- Drops — on offense and defense — doom Detroit Lions in NFC championship game
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Detroit Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett highlights the best and worst performances from the Detroit Lions ' 34-31 NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
Game balls
49ers QB Brock Purdy
The 49ers are blessed with some of the best offensive talent in the NFL, so Purdy probably doesn't get enough credit for his play. But the second-year signal-caller was brilliant in Sunday's second half, completing 13 of 16 passes for 174 yards and making plays with his arms and feet.
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JEFF SEIDEL: So. Flipping. Cruel: Detroit Lions' 34-31 loss to 49ers puts damper on otherwise great year
Purdy had scrambles of 21, 10 and 21 yards to avoid sacks and extend scoring drives. He made several big-time throws to lead the 49ers' comeback. And he showed poise in the biggest game he has stayed healthy in.
"I don't have enough good things to say about Brock," star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said. "All he's done since he's been here is play at an elite level. Everything starts with him. We're lucky he's our quarterback."
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown had a phenomenal season with 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns, and his play Sunday helped stake the Lions to a 17-point halftime lead.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff makes a pass toward receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown against the 49ers during the second half of the Lions' 34-31 loss in the NFC championship game in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
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St. Brown converted four third-and-longs in the first half with catches of 13, 11, 23 and 9 yards, and he made one of the key perimeter blocks on Jahmyr Gibbs ' 15-yard touchdown run.
A fourth-round pick in 2021, St. Brown has far exceeded the production predicted by his draft slot in three seasons in Detroit. He's eligible for a contract extension this offseason and the Lions should have no problem signing him to a deal worth $25 million or so per season.
Goats
WR Josh Reynolds
One of the Lions' most reliable receivers this season, Reynolds had a rough game Sunday. He caught just one of the four passes thrown his way for 25 yards and had two costly drops in the second half.
Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds makes a catch against 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown during the second half of the Lions' 34-31 loss in the NFC championship game in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Reynolds was Jared Goff 's intended target on a fourth-and-2 incompletion — the throw was low and away, but still hit Reynolds in the arm — and he dropped a third-and-9 pass late in the third quarter when the Lions desperately need to swing momentum back their way.
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Goff said he wouldn't feel the need to say anything to Reynolds to boost his spirits after the game.
"Josh is a stud," Goff said. "He made a mistake. We had plenty of mistakes out there. I missed throws, I took sacks. He made a mistake and it happens and he's an absolute stud."
CBs Cam Sutton and Kindle Vildor
Reynolds wasn't the only Lion who had costly drops Sunday. Earlier in the third quarter, both Sutton and Vildor let would-be interceptions slip through their hands.
Vildor had good coverage on Brandon Aiyuk on a deep shot from Purdy down the middle of the field early in the second half. The pass sailed over Aiyuk's head, hit Vildor's hands, then glanced off his facemask and into Aiyuk's arms for a 51-yard catch. Sutton didn't see a would-be pick two plays later, then got beat for a touchdown on third-and-goal at the 6.
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk catches the ball over Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor in the third quarter of the NFC championship game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Sutton struggled in the second half of the season, though the Lions put him in disadvantageous situations trying to pressure opposing quarterbacks with the blitz. Vildor played a solid game overall Sunday, but he won't be able to forget the one play he didn't make anytime soon.
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Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions have a few goats for drops on offense and defense
