67 years ago, Lions downed 49ers for spot in NFL Championship Game

The Lions visit the 49ers 67 years after another game had a spot in a title clash at stake

The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers have played for a spot in a championship game before.

The winner didn’t go to the Super Bowl, but rather the NFL Championship Game in 1957.

The teams both finished 8-4 in the West and had split regular-season meetings. So, a playoff game was on for a spot to meet the Cleveland Browns for the NFL Championship.

The game took place at San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium. In the third quarter, not many would have given the Lions a chance.

Behind Y.A. Tittle, the Niners soared to a 27-7 lead. The Hall of Fame QB was 12-of-19 in the first 30 minutes with three TD passes.

Down 20, the Lions scored the game’s final 24 points.

Per ProFootballHOF.com:

Then, it was time for the Lions’ offense to take over. Tom “The Bomb” Tracy, who hadn’t carried the ball in the previous four games, filled in for a banged-up duo of Howard “Hopalong” Cassady and John Henry Johnson. Tracy led the charge with two third-quarter touchdown runs. The first came on a one-yard plunge and the second via a 58-yard scamper to bring the Lions to within six points, 27-21.

As the 49ers’ defense focused on Tracy, Detroit quarterback Tobin Rote dropped back and tossed a 36-yard pass to Steve Junker. The big pass play set the Lions up in scoring position and eventually Gene Gedman would tie the game on a 2-yard touchdown plunge. Jim Martin’s point-after-touchdown gave the Lions a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Lions’ defense rose to the occasion by recording four turnovers in the final period to protect the lead. A field goal by Martin sealed the amazing comeback as the Lions advanced to the title game with a 31-27 victory. One week later, the Lions routed the Browns, 59-14, to claim the franchise’s third NFL championship in six seasons.

The boxscore:

Scoring

Quarter Tm Detail DET SFO
1 49ers R.C. Owens 34 yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) 0 7
49ers Hugh McElhenny 47 yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) 0 14
2 Lions Steve Junker 4 yard pass from Tobin Rote (Jim Martin kick) 7 14
49ers Billy Wilson 12 yard pass from Y.A. Tittle (Gordie Soltau kick) 7 21
49ers Gordie Soltau 25 yard field goal 7 24
3 49ers Gordie Soltau 10 yard field goal 7 27
Lions Tom Tracy 1 yard rush (Jim Martin kick) 14 27
Lions Tom Tracy 58 yard rush (Jim Martin kick) 21 27
4 Lions Gene Gedman 2 yard rush (Jim Martin kick) 28 27
Lions Jim Martin 13 yard field goal 31 27