NFC Divisional/Championship Takeaways
I was originally going to write this post as two separate posts, one for the Divisional, and one for the Championship game. I think it now makes sense to do it all as one, because, despite the score difference at half, they were very similar games. Both in heart attack ways, and excitement ways.
I’ll start with the similarities. First off, the first half was shaky for both games. Nothing was clicking on offense, defense wasn’t getting stops, and there didn’t seem to be any heart. Brock Purdy didn’t seem like the quarterback that we all know he is and can be, which is a little bit concerning. Never the less, this team never gave up at half time (unlike probably some fans out there). Similar to what Draymond said about losing game 1 in the 2021-22 NBA finals, its a 60 minute game, not a 30 minute game. Both the Divisional and Championship games went exactly like that. Not a whole lot in the first half, and an outrage in the second.
For both games, the second half was the money maker obviously. Brock Purdy figured out he is an elite level quarterback, the defense put some stops together, and the offense did what we all know the offense can do, which is absolutely dominate. I’ll start with the defense first.
The defense woke up in the second half of each game, keeping the Packers at bay for only 15 second half points, and the Lions, who looked unstoppable, to a touchdown. Now there were a few different reasons for each of these games. With the Divisional, the interceptions were what shined on the defensive end. Dre Greenlaw was the man for those, having both of them, one being a game sealing pick. These are the moments Greenlaw lives for, and to see him make two of the biggest defensive plays of the game and season was awesome. The game sealing pick is the one talked about the most, which was also made possible by the pass rush. Jordan Love knew he needed to make a longer completion, and the Niners defense wasn’t going to let that happen. The pass rush led by Nick Bosa forced Love to scramble out of the pocket and make one of the worst throws you can make in football, a throw across your body into the middle of the field. Greenlaw read him like a book, and sealed the game, but not without some stress by him running all over with seemingly no ball security. All in all, a great defensive effort by the Niners, which is what they are known for.
The Championship game was a little bit of a different story. Right from the gun, the defense had no answers for anything. Granted, the Lions did have the best offense in all of football for the majority of the season, however I don’t really think that’s a good enough excuse. Letting 3 rushing touchdowns occur in the first half isn’t fantastic at all. Usually teams would tighten up on defense after just one rush TD, but it seemed like the Niners didn’t make any in game adjustments which is worrying. One more point about the first half, there is no way that 2 consecutive third and longs can’t be stopped, so there was that.
The second half was a different story. A field goal to start, bringing the score to 24-10. Dan Campbell gambles like he’s in Vegas and goes for a 4th and 2 at the Niners 28, turnover on downs. A 6 yard receiving touchdown to Aiyuk after a 51 yard catch off the defenders dome. 24-17. Jahmyr Gibbs fumble on the Detroit 24. CMC goal line rush TD. 24-24. Tie game, and I’m jumping out of my seat, running around the block, and screaming at the TV. Detroit is forced to punt after only gaining 1 yard. Niners march down the field and kick a field goal, bringing the score to 27-24. Detriot has it at the Niners 30, and a stop brings it to 4th down. Any sane fan would say take the points and tie the game. Luckily, Dan Campbell seems to have never played blackjack, so he does the equivalent of hitting while he has 18, which is go for it on 4th down. Deep pass thrown to Amon Ra St. Brown…. INCOMPLETE!!!! Niners with the ball again, and Elijah Mitchell marches in for the 3 yard TD to bring the score to 34-24. What a game. Detroit scores a TD, bringing it to 34-31, and tries an onside kick. Too little too late however, as our guy George Kittle redeems his onside kick recovery, and seals the game. THE NINERS ARE GOING TO THE BOWL!!!
Just to recap the second half in non play by play form, Brock Purdy was elite. He used his legs to gain multiple 15+ yard first down, used his weapons short field and down field, and was accurate as a sniper. I think the best part of that was his teammates never lost faith in him, and lifted him up when he was down. Those are feelings that are earned, not given. The defense was elite, forcing a ton of pressure throws from Goff. The run game was non existent for the Lions in the 2nd half, which goes to show that they figured it out just in the nick of time. The secondary broke up many important passes, which caused a few 4 and outs.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but after 2 years of NFC Championship disappointments, and what very well could’ve been another, The San Francisco 49ers are going back to the Super Bowl to face an old foe, the Kansas City Taylor Swifts. I’m sorry, the Kansas City Chiefs. Damn autocorrect. This is the biggest game of this teams life, and they need to play like it from the get go. The second half heroics might’ve worked in these last two games, but against the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs, it’ll be virtually impossible to come back in the second half. Pray good prayers, think good thoughts, and GO NINERS!! LETS BRING HOME NUMBER 6!!!
