Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
3 reasons for concern when the #49ers suit up vs. the Lions in the NFC championship game
The 49ers should be confident heading into the NFC championship game. This is their third trip to the conference title game in as many years, and they were without question the NFC’s best team for virtually the entire season. That doesn’t mean they’re just going to throw helmets on the field and win though, particularly against a Lions team that can exploit some of the 49ers’ biggest weaknesses.
Here are three causes for concern for San Francisco as they gear up for the NFC championship game:
The #49ers have 7 things they need to improve from the divisional round if they want to win the NFC championship:
The 49ers didn’t play their ‘A’ game in the divisional playoffs. They may not have even played their ‘B’ or ‘C’ game. It was a mostly rough outing that saw the more talented San Francisco team make a handful of plays that allowed them to pull out a win.
In the NFC championship game the talent gap will close when the Detroit Lions enter Levi’s Stadium. Another subpar performance won’t be overcome with a handful of plays in the closing minutes. If the 49ers want to ensure they don’t fall short in a third consecutive NFC championship, they’ll need to improve these seven things:
The 49ers open as big favorites over the Lions:
The 49ers will host the Lions in the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium. While Detroit played better than the 49ers did in the divisional round, San Francisco is still a 7-point favorite over the Lions according to BetMGM.
While it’s a little surprising to see such a big number on the 49ers to open, there’s certainly a path to a big win for a San Francisco team that’s in its third NFC championship game in as many years.
It would make sense if the number started trending toward Detroit given what they can do in the run game and how they might be able to keep the game tight the same way the Packers did.
Injuries could also play a key role in how the line moves. 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is banged up, as is Lions center Frank Ragnow. Both players are huge pieces to their offenses and in a game that should be closely contested, those injuries could make a huge difference.
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It’s the Lions heading to Levi’s Stadium to face the 49ers in the NFC championship:
The 49ers will host the Detroit Lions in the NFC championship game after the Lions downed the Buccaneers 31-23 in their divisional playoff matchup.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30pm on Sunday, Jan. 28 at Levi’s Stadium.
This will mark the third time the two teams have faced off in the postseason. Detroit got the better of the 49ers in a 31-27 win in the 1957 divisional round. San Francisco exacted some revenge with a 24-23 win in the 1983 divisional round.
All-time the teams have played 68 times. The 49ers are 39-28-1 all-time vs. Detroit. Their last matchup was a 41-33 San Francisco win in Week 1 of the 2021 season.
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San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.
San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions prediction, game preview, and fantasy player to watch.
Date: Sunday, September 12
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Network: FOX
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Detroit is going to need a little while.
It’s a franchise in rebuild mode under new head coach Dan Campbell, the defense is going to need time to build back up – especially in the secondary – and the 49er passing game should take advantage of it.
For all the excitement around Trey Lance, the potential of the passing game, and whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo can step up his game, it’ll be the running attack and the run defense that take over early on to force the Lions to press. But …
The Lions have a sneaky-good upside offensively.
D’Andre Swift has been hurting this offseason, but he’s expected to be ready to go behind a great-looking offensive line that will more than hold its own. The receivers might not be among the elite, but the attack should spread the ball around and start to find a groove as the game goes on.
And while there’s been a whole lot of criticism and skepticism, the Lions have a veteran guy who can run it …
– 2021 Preseason NFL Predictions For Every Game
QB Jared Goff, Detroit
He might be one of the deepest fantasy quarterback sleepers of 2021. Everything is in place for him to succeed – bad team, bad defense, team will be behind, and he’ll throw and throw and throw and throw. You might have to wait until the last 20 minutes to get your production, but he should hit a few big plays if the Lions are getting rolled.
– NFL Predictions for Every Game, Schedules
Detroit is better than everyone is letting on, but it’s not that special yet.
The offense will do what it can, but it won’t be enough to overcome a solid balanced day from the 49er offense and a big-time performance from the defensive front. The Lions will contain Swift early and the passing game won’t make up for it.
– NFL Week 1 Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews
San Francisco 30, Detroit 20
San Francisco -7.5, o/u: 45.5
ATS Confidence out of 5:
5: Bringing your snacks on the flight
1: Buying snacks at the airport
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