Lions-49ers game features 2 of the NFL’s top 3 offenses, but San Francisco has big edge on defense
The San Francisco 49ers are back in a familiar spot facing a Detroit Lions team new to this stage.
No team has played in the NFC championship game more than the 49ers, who will be making their 19th appearance and third in a row when they host Detroit on Sunday. The Lions are here for the first time in 32 years and have never reached the Super Bowl.
For San Francisco, it’s about unfinished business.
They had no chance in Philadelphia last year when Brock Purdy was knocked out of the game in the first quarter because of an elbow injury and later was forced to return and just hand off because backup Josh Johnson suffered a concussion.
The 49ers (13-5) earned the No. 1 seed but barely beat No. 7 seed Green Bay last week, needing a comeback late in the game.
The Lions (14-5) almost blew a wild-card game against Jared Goff’s former team, the Los Angeles Rams, and pulled away from Tampa Bay in the fourth quarter last week.
Goff won an NFC title game with the Rams and has played well in the postseason.
The 49ers are 7-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
The Lions had the league’s second-ranked passing offense behind Goff and the fifth-ranked rushing attack led by David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. The 49ers were 14th against the pass and third against the run, but Aaron Jones and the Packers gashed them for 136 yards and 4.9 per carry.
Goff has plenty of playmakers, including All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. St. Brown can cause a lot of trouble in the slot. LaPorta has to face All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
Montgomery ran for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gibbs had 945 yards rushing and 10 TDs. St. Brown caught 119 passes for 1,515 yards and 10 TDs. LaPorta had 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 scores.
Goff finished with 4,575 yards passing, 30 TDs and 12 interceptions.
