Jahmyr Gibbs scores key TD as Detroit Lions win NFL playoffs

Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs scores game-winning touchdown as Detroit Lions defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in NFC playoffs.

The Detroit Lions secured a 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC playoffs on Sunday, thanks to a tiebreaking 31-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the fourth quarter. With the score tied at 17-17, Gibbs broke loose for his touchdown run with 13:13 left to play, and quarterback Jared Goff's second touchdown pass of the game put the Lions ahead 31-17 with 6:22 left.

Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans had an outstanding performance with eight receptions for 147 yards, capping it off with a 16-yard touchdown catch with 4:37 remaining. However, Detroit linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted quarterback Baker Mayfield with 1:33 left to seal the Lions' first trip to the conference-championship game since 1991.

Gibbs made history as the first NFL rookie who played at Alabama to score two postseason touchdowns. He had previously scored a 10-yard run on his first playoff carry last week. In addition to his touchdown run, Gibbs ran for 74 yards on nine carries and caught four passes for 40 yards on Sunday.

Several other players from Alabama high schools and colleges also made an impact in the game. Lions defensive back Brian Branch, who played for Alabama, tied for the Detroit lead with nine tackles, recorded one sack, and made two tackles for loss. K.J. Britt, Carlton Davis, and Jamel Dean, who all played for Auburn, also contributed to the Buccaneers' efforts.

The Lions, who won the NFC North with a 12-5 record in the regular season, will face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at 5:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 28 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. FOX will televise the game.

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