The Detroit Lions, entering the NFL playoffs with a 12-5 regular-season record, electrified the state of Michigan and made a name for themselves throughout Middle America.
In the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, it appeared as though virtually the whole country was supporting them. However, despite taking a 24-7 lead at halftime, they collapsed and let the Niners win 34-31 to go to the Super Bowl.
One of the most well-known Lions supporters, rapper Eminem, was obviously agitated during the game and at one point made an offensive gesture towards the Niners supporters gathered at Levi’s Stadium.
However, he feels upbeat about the team’s prospects, saying on Twitter that it’s time to “run it back,” according to NFL on ESPN.
He expressed his gratitude to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for choosing to stay in Detroit rather than accept a position with a different team while saying this.
If Johnson had departed, the rapper—also known as Marshall Mathers III—threatened to release a diss track.
After the Lions won eight of their final ten games last season, they went from being a hopeless team to a formidable force in the NFC, a feat for which Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell shared most of the credit.
They finished third in total yards and fifth in points scored this season. Their tag combo of youngster Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery allowed them to score more touchdowns on the ground than any other team.
