With the Super Bowl just weeks away, the NFL’s conference championships have arrived. The first game of the weekend will be the AFC Championship Game, but the NFC Championship Game will follow up shortly after.
In the NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions will face off for a trip to the big game. What’s everything you need to know ahead of kickoff?
Everything to Know About Lions vs. 49ers Ahead of the NFC Championship Game
The two teams will kick off Sunday, Jan. 28 in Santa Clara, Calif., at 6:30 p.m. ET; fans will be able to tune in and watch the game on FOX. Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen will be on the call with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the sideline.
The 49ers will host the game following a season where they went 12-5, winning the NFC West and earning the conference’s top seed in the playoffs. The 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round thanks to a late-game comeback.
One of the reasons for the 49ers’ success has been their balanced team, with both their offense and defense ranking inside the top 10. According to FOX Sports, the 49ers have the second-best offense in the NFL, averaging 398.4 yards per game and scoring 61 touchdowns.
Injury-wise, the main point of concern for San Francisco is star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. During the game against the Packers, Samuel suffered a shoulder injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said there’s no fracture, but he is still in pain, leaving his status questionable.
The Lions, on the other hand, are having one of the best seasons in franchise history. Their appearance in the NFC title game marks the first time they’ve been in it since the early 90s. They finished the regular season with a 12-5 record, earning them the NFC’s No. 3 seed.
On their way to the conference title game, the Lions defeated both the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions’ offense, similar to the 49ers, has been one of the NFL’s best. Also according to FOX Sports, their offense is ranked just one spot below the 49ers at third in the NFL, averaging 394.8 yards per game and scoring 58 touchdowns.
MORE: Detroit Lions Depth Chart | San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
However, the Lions’ defense has been up and down in 2023. According to FOX Sports, the Lions’ defense is ranked 19th in total defense, allowing 336.1 yards per game and 37 touchdowns on the season.
The Lions have a few injuries to watch. First, center Frank Ragnow suffered both a sprained knee and a sprained ankle during their win, but he is expected to still play in the NFC title game. Guard Jonah Jackson, on the other hand, suffered a minor meniscus tear and underwent surgery, likely eliminating him from playing again this season.
Finally, Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone suffered multiple injuries. He played through a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and three fractured ribs. Despite that, he said he is OK and will likely appear in the NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers-Packers game was heavily influenced by the weather, but that is unlikely to be the case again. According to AccuWeather, there is just a 13% chance of rain during the game. Additionally, there is a 73-degree high with six mph north-northwest winds. Additionally, there are expected to be wind gusts of 10 mph.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!
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