The Detroit Lions withered with history on the line in NFC Championship game but credit must go to Brock Purdy… he came good when it truly mattered – and now the 49ers can go all the way

First there was the Catch. Then the Catch II. Now the San Francisco 49ers have the third quarter.

While this 34-31 win may not have the legendary beauty of those Dwight Clark or Terrell Owens plays, it could prove to be just as important.

After all, it was one of those victories that Fred Warner desperately wanted to achieve in November.

“I think the thing for us right now is we have to find ways to win the dirty games that don’t look great and find a way,” the linebacker said after the loss to Minnesota.

Trailing 24-7, the Niners weren’t completely eliminated from the NFC Championship game, but were in dire need of the smelling salts.

Lions fans missed the chance to see their team play in a first-ever Super Bowl

Purdy celebrates on stage with Michael Strahan after winning the NFC Championship

They were bullied by the Detroit Lions for the first two-thirds of the game. Brock Purdy struggled, they couldn’t run or pass. And we won’t talk about the approach.

Then, on fourth-and-2 and inside field goal territory, Dan Campbell went for it. Jared Goff threw an imperfect but catchable pass that receiver Josh Reynolds couldn’t retrieve.

And the game turned.

Similar to last week’s narrow win over the Green Bay Packers, Purdy came up big when it mattered, with San Francisco scoring 17 unanswered points to tie the score at 24 apiece.

The 49ers escaped the pressure and completed explosive plays at will, ultimately looking like the NFC’s No. 1 seed as Detroit faded as a first Super Bowl in franchise history was within their reach.

Purdy suddenly remembered George Kittle and Deebo Samuel were playing and was elusive, rushing with his feet and finding multiple targets. The once stunned Levi’s Stadium was energized as the 49ers jumped to a 27-24 lead.

Once again within field goal range, Campbell opted to go for it on fourth-and-3. Once again Goff could not fill it in and those difficult questions will continue to be asked for a while.

Christian McCaffrey carries the ball during the fourth quarter of their win over the Lions

Dan Campbell admitted to his players after the game that they might never come here again

Downtrodden Detroit found itself within striking distance of a first Super Bowl in franchise history, but those dreams evaporated when Elijah Mitchell’s score gave them a 10-point lead late in the fourth.

For Kyle Shanahan, this was pure relief. He had exchanged looks with Purdy on the sideline in the second quarter and just as questions were being asked about his mentality and play calling on the biggest stage, his quarterback, defense and skill players pulled one out of the hat.

The 49ers started out looking slow and unprepared, picking up right where they left off last week in the lucky, close win over Green Bay.

The Lions were top in all departments. From offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s playcalling to Goff’s accuracy to the blistering performances of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit imposed their will, and there was little San Francisco could do about it.

When Detroit needed an explosive play, they got it. On third and 18 deep in the second quarter, Goff found Amon Ra St-Brown for a gain of 23. But Purdy was under constant pressure from his right side as Detroit exploited the weak side of their offensive line.

With wide open receivers and a probing, exhausting run game, Detroit played complementary football and scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, putting San Francisco in foul trouble.

Purdy (left) hugs rival quarterback Jared Goff after victory in San Francisco

George Kittle celebrates after a game against the Lions… the 49ers next play the Chiefs in Vegas

A San Francisco fan enjoys the team’s success during its win over the Detroit Lions

With Goff clean in the pocket and offensive coordinator Johnson further bolstered his head coaching credentials while using deception to conjure wide-open receivers.

It might have helped their cause if the 49ers could tackle, but that crucial skill failed them. When Gibbs rushed forward for the Lions’ third score, he did so after Tashaun Gipson sniffed his assignment.

But then came the third quarter. And thus a comeback for all ages.

Beating two NFC North teams in consecutive weeks, the Niners weren’t necessarily good, or even pretty, but like Purdy, they’re tenacious when it counts.

This is a dangerous, happy team that doesn’t know when they’re beaten. And with the added motivation of the chance to avenge their Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas in a fortnight’s time, would you bet against them?