Takeaways from NFC Championship: Brock Purdy proves doubters wrong while Lions implode

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off a history-making second-half comeback over the Detroit Lions, 34-31, in the NFC Championship game, punching their ticket to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. 

Here are three takeaways from the 49ers dramatic conference title victory. 

1. Brock Purdy quiets the doubters 

For the second straight week, Purdy's performance was far from perfect. However, after pulling off the third-largest comeback in conference championship history, the 49ers' quarterback proved many doubters wrong again. 

The 49ers trailed by 17 at the break following Purdy's worst first half of the season (7-of-15, 92 yards, one interception). Yet, he was a different quarterback in the second half, going 13-of-16 for 174 yards and a touchdown pass. He orchestrated scoring drives on every offensive possession, save for the final series while the 49ers ran out the fourth-quarter clock. 

More importantly, Purdy was clutch, making plays with his arm and legs at crucial points. Several times, he escaped pressure only to find an open receiver or scramble for a significant gain. 

Game manager? Not even close.

2. The 49ers aren't Super Bowl-bound without their defense's second-half turnaround

The vaunted 49ers defense looked anything but in the first half. However, they locked all windows and doors in the second half, holding the Lions off the scoreboard until 56 seconds remained in the fourth quarter. 

The Lions punched the 49ers in the mouth, gaining a 17-point lead at the break, 24-7, while out-gaining San Francisco 280-131 at halftime, including 148 yards given up on the ground, the most during the Shanahan era. 

Yet, the second half saw a complete turnaround. The 49ers not only kept the Lions scoreless throughout most of the half, but they held them to only 162 yards of offense, including just 34 on the ground. They also came up with two massive stops on fourth down, which arguably swung the momentum San Francisco's way. 

3. Second-half implosion will haunt Lions, HC Dan Campbell all offseason

The Lions weren't a fluke, but they proved on Sunday that they weren't ready for prime time after a second-half implosion for the ages. There are plenty of plays to point to when trying to explain away how a team blows a 17-point halftime lead when they seem securely in the driver's seat. However, the Lions' failure was from the top down. 

Twice, head coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth down when a field goal, while conservative, made more sense. While many will exhaustively dissect those decisions for the months to come, they might not take into account the other mistakes on offense, like the numerous missed throws by quarterback Jared Goff, countless drops by receivers and a fumble by running back Jahymr Gibbs. While the Lions offense struggled, the defense shouldn't be let off the hook, squandering several opportunities at turnovers or big plays while giving up 27 second-half points.

Detroit will be back, but considering how things ended, this offseason won't be one of positive reflection, only regret.