By putting up a 12-5 regular-season record, the Detroit Lions galvanized the state of Michigan and became a very popular team throughout Middle America going into the NFL playoffs.
It seemed as if almost everyone in the nation was rooting for them in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, but after building a 24-7 halftime lead, they fell apart at the seams and allowed the Niners to advance to the Super Bowl with a 34-31 win.
Rapper Eminem, one of the most high-profile Lions fans, was visibly frustrated during the game, and at one point, he even made an obscene gesture at Niners fans assembled at Levi’s Stadium.
But he seems optimistic about the team’s future, as he said it’s time to “run it back” on Twitter, per NFL on ESPN.
Eminem said, “RUN IT BACK” 🗣️
(h/t @Eminem) | @Lions pic.twitter.com/1OBdtLPp5N
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 30, 2024
He said this while thanking offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for deciding to remain in Detroit instead of taking a job with another team.
The rapper, also known as Marshall Mathers III, threatened to release a diss track directed toward Johnson if he had left.
Johnson, along with head coach Dan Campbell, had gotten lots of credit for transforming the Lions from a moribund team into an NFC power starting last season, when they won eight of their last 10 contests.
This year, they were fifth in points scored and third in total yards, and they also scored more rushing touchdowns than any other team thanks to their tag-team duo of David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs.
They also have a bona fide star wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown, as well as an excellent rookie tight end in Sam LaPorta.
NEXT:
Richard Sherman Makes Bold Prediction About The Lions
