Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, right, celebrates a touchdown against 49ers with quarterback Jared Goff during the first half of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.

If it wasn’t for a second-half collapse in the NFC Championship Game, the Cinderella Detroit Lions were on the cusp of shocking the San Francisco 49ers and playing for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVIII.

Now, after some marquee additions in free agency, have the Lions closed the gap in the NFC on the 49ers?

According to CBS Sports, the Detroit Lions are the 49ers’ biggest threat to a repeat appearance in the Super Bowl next season.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell celebrates a touchdown scored by running back Jahmyr Gibbs during the first half of the NFC championship game vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.

Detroit Lions Currently No. 2 Ranked Team in the NFC

After fortifying the offensive line in front of quarterback Jared Goff, by signing stalwart guard Kevin Zeitler, and a space-eating defensive tackle in D.J. Reader, the Detroit Lions shored up two of the roster’s weaknesses from last season.

Based on key additions and last season’s deep postseason run, there’s plenty of reason for optimism in the Motor City that the 2024 campaign might be even more special for the Lions.

“Jared Goff proved he can still take a playoff-caliber lineup on a deep run,” Cody Benjamin writes for CBS Sports. “And now his defensive support should be slightly improved with Reader and Davis injecting battle-tested experience. With Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson refusing to dial down their aggression, and the O-line remaining one of the game’s best, they still project as a well-balanced contender.”

Several teams across the NFC have made major strides this offseason, including the Philadelphia Eagles shopping at the top of the market and adding marquee players at key positions of need, and the Green Bay Packers bolstering the star power around ascending quarterback Jordan Love.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are charging hard, especially with the presumptive addition of quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

But, if last season’s playoff experience pays the kind of dividends head coach Dan Campbell hopes, the Lions and 49ers might once again be on a championship collision course.

Jared Goff, #16 of the Detroit Lions, drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images