# NFL 2023-2024: Conference Championships **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [January 24, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595 "2024-01-24T16:11:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/101 "2024-01-29T02:46:17Z")
SF gets the onside kick and it’s kneel down for the win. The betting overs also win. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/102 "2024-01-29T02:48:03Z")
I’m not saying Dan Campbell cost the Lions the game, buuuuuutttt… ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/103 "2024-01-29T02:49:53Z")
It was a reasonable call. Not Campbell’s fault the Lions have missed a few catches in the second half. The Lions played amazing football, including a nearly flawless first half, and I would have liked to see them win. They certainly have San Fran a good game. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/104 "2024-01-29T02:50:23Z")
Niners open as 2.5 point favorites. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/105 "2024-01-29T02:51:21Z")
The sucky part is that NFL coaches SHOULD go for it much more often than they do, tho to forgo the 3 points makes it less clear-cut than if it is 4th and 2 from your opponent’s 47 say. All this game will do is ensure that the more conservative trend continues pretty much everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/106 "2024-01-29T02:52:35Z")
And the 49ers chose to not just kneel it out but keep doing short runs. The Lions got further in the playoffs than they did in forever and managed to keep it close. It was a winnable game so yes, some huge what-ifs to talk about Monday morning. But no shame. This was a game where both teams _showed up_ . ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/107 "2024-01-29T03:07:14Z")
Fourth down in field goal range, not once but twice. Kick the damn field goal at least one of those times, and this game doesn’t necessarily end the same way. Take the points, take the points, take the points. During the season, I’m much more comfortable with Campbell’s aggressive play-calling. But at this stage, on the road, take the points, especially when you’re going into the second half already 17 points up. ETA: And, for me, this isn’t just hind-sight is 20/20. I was screaming for him to take the points as it was happening. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/108 "2024-01-29T03:08:18Z")
Well, the Lions are good. And unlike Michigan, the Lions should be able to retain their players and coach and be good next year. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/109 "2024-01-29T03:13:28Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > This was a game where both teams _showed up_ . They didn’t just show up; each team came to play, and play they did. After a few blowouts earlier in the playoffs, it was nice to see a come-from-behind, edge-of-your-seater. The Detroit Lions can be proud of themselves; they came pretty far, and they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with next season, I’m sure. Now, two weeks to SF vs. KC. At this point, I’m not even going to guess. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/110 "2024-01-29T03:15:38Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > And, for me, this isn’t just hind-sight is 20/20. I was screaming for him to take the points as it was happening. Same. Both times. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/111 "2024-01-29T03:19:45Z")
Damn, this feels gross. People from Detroit are gonna be talking about this one for years, the way Browns fans still sometimes talk about the famous deep playoff fuckups of the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/112 "2024-01-29T03:22:45Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Now, two weeks to SF vs. KC. At this point, I’m not even going to guess. Safe prediction 1: Unlikely to rain. Safe prediction 2: Usher will be trying to perform a halftime show but all the socialnets will be saying is that meanwhile Taylor Swift is partying in the owners’ suite. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/113 "2024-01-29T03:28:53Z")
Campbell made the same mistake now that he did back then against Dallas when he thrice went for the 2-point conversion: At some point you just got to take the safe points, man. The psychological swing was big. Had the Lions kicked the FG and been up 27-10, I think this is a different game. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/114 "2024-01-29T03:29:19Z")
Waiting to see if the Conspirists can find something satanic about the Halftime show. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/115 "2024-01-29T05:08:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Campbell made the same mistake now that he did back then against Dallas when he thrice went for the 2-point conversion: At some point you just got to take the safe points, man. Yeah, I’m willing to blame him. Especially when you lose by 3. Now the SB is boring. I’m only slightly more excited for it than the Pro Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/116 "2024-01-29T06:02:05Z")
Any time a team blows a lead - like the Falcons 28-3 against the Patriots, or the Lions 24-7 against the Niners - it’s always weird how the defense seems to show no grasp of the urgency of the situation until the opposing team has drawn near to tying it or has taking the lead. That 28-9 soon becomes 28-12, soon becomes 28-20, etc. That 24-7 soon becomes 24-10, soon becomes 24-17. It’s like someone on the train tracks, thinking “Aw shucks, sure, I can see the train coming, but it’s still 400 yards away.” ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/117 "2024-01-29T06:51:26Z")
I’m glad the Niners won it, but damn that was winning uggLEEE! And really, Detroit lost it, more than San Francisco won it. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/118 "2024-01-29T07:46:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Yeah, I’m willing to blame him. Especially when you lose by 3. But you also have to remember, they were within 3 because they scored the 3rd time they went for it on 4th down. The best play is obviously to go for it on the times you’re going to be successful and kick it when you’re not. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/119 "2024-01-29T08:04:10Z")
Dan Campbell needs to learn that field goals are ok sometimes. I’m with the people here that thought they were a bad idea at the time. Being aggressive 100% of the time isn’t a strategy, it’s a habit. A very predictable habit. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595/120 "2024-01-29T12:26:08Z")
Ugh. What an awful Lions loss. I don’t know what would be worse- to have had the Lions just get blown out, or what did happen- Lions having a 17 POINT LEAD at the half, tasting victory, and getting it taken away 😩 As for the debate over whether or not Campbell should have just taken the field goal at that key point, I don’t know. I’ve been critical of Campbell the Gamble’s always going for it instead of taking the easy points in other threads, but the reality is, Campbell got the Lions this far, who am I to say if his aggressive play calls are wrong or right. What I think the Lions do need is to shore up their defense. With the same offense intact and a better D that doesn’t blow 17 POINT LEADS, the Lions could be a juggernaut next season. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-2024-conference-championships/996595.md?page=7)