WATCH: Ford Field ‘erupts’ with Detroit fans celebrating Baker Mayfield’s interception as Lions make it the Championship Game for the first time in 30 years

The Lions' are back in Conference final after a wait of three decades.

WATCH: Ford Field ‘erupts’ with Detroit fans celebrating Baker Mayfield’s interception as Lions make it the Championship Game for the first time in 30 years

Baker Mayfield throws a pick to Lions Derrick Barnes as Detroit crowd cheer (Screengrab YouTube)

Detroit was already buzzing after a historic campaign that saw the Lions lift the NFC North after more than 29 years. Yet that buzz reached a new height when Baker Mayfield threw an interception in the divisional playoff that more or less sealed qualification for the championship game.

After sneaking past the Los Angeles Rams on the wild card, the Detroit Lions drew the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home, and they proved to be a tough team to blow away. Although the Lions never trailed in the game, the Bucs kept up the pressure with replies of their own.

YouTube video

During a pivotal moment, following the 2-minute warning until the final whistle, Tampa Bay had the ball trailing by 8 points. On 2nd and 5th, Mayfield took the snap and looked downfield to find a teammate. He located tight Cade Otton, who had five catches for 65 yards up to that point.

FS Video

However, the Buccaneers quarterback failed to notice Derrick Barnes creeping in from the side. Mayfield’s pass landed straight into the waiting arms of the Lions linebacker, that turned over possession to Detroit. Following the interception, the already-hyped Ford Field erupted with joy and excitement.

Dan Campbell is proud to represent the city of Detroit

Mayfield’s 26 completions for 346 yards amount to nothing in the end because of the interceptions, which nullified all the hard work. Besides Barnes’ game-winning pick, the Lions managed to intercept the Buca QB once before early in the first quarter.

WATCH: Ford Field ‘erupts’ with Detroit fans celebrating Baker Mayfield’s interception as Lions make it the Championship Game for the first time in 30 years
Dan Campbell and Jared Goff (Image via ESPN)

Just 4 minutes in, CJ Gardner Johnson picked off a stray pass and taunted Mayfield, which was a continuation of their beef between each other. The Lions didn’t look back from there on out, with the city of Detroit backing them up.

We want the city to be proud of. I can back that guy; I can build that team and resonate with that group of guys. We are kind of salty. We don't quit. You know. We play hard. And so, I feel like we have done that. I think these guys have kinship with the city and this area, and they love it, man.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the post-match press conference.

Detroit’s quarterback, Jared Goff, had another stellar outing. Goff completed 30 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns to Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds. He thanked the Detroit fans for believing in him.

It's awesome; it really is cool for me, as I said last week, and this is something I probably will never experience again. Those [Detroit] fans are special, near, and dear to my heart.
Goff said

The win over the Buccaneers set up the Lions’ first conference championship game since 1992. On that occasion, they were crushed by eventual Super Bowl champion Washington, 41-10.

In case you missed it: