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When the 2023 NFL season began, the San Francisco 49ers were supposed to be NFC front-runners. And the Detroit Lions were supposed to be challengers — truly competitive for the first time in years. Both things ultimately came to fruition, and now, with one round of playoff football left until Super Bowl LVIII, it all comes down to these two: Detroit and San Francisco, in a fight for the whole conference.
Neither club was invincible throughout the regular season, with the 49ers enduring a three-game losing streak in October and the Lions dropping two games to rival underdogs in the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers around the holidays. But both have proven more resilient than the rest, finishing with some of this year’s best offensive units and gutting out some close playoff victories.
So who has the edge in their upcoming NFC title contest? And how can you tune in? Here’s everything you need to know:
How to watch
Keys to the game
Will Deebo Samuel be healthy? The 49ers star is questionable with a shoulder injury, but even if he’s active, will he be at full speed for San Francisco? It might be the most important question of the entire matchup for San Francisco, which is 18-1 when he, Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey have played full games together but 2-4 otherwise. The wideout’s presence gives coach Kyle Shanahan a second multipurpose weapon alongside McCaffrey, maximizing his scheme.Which team can apply more pressure? The 49ers have the superior defense almost across the board, entering as the NFL’s No. 8-ranked unit with an especially stifling run “D” and a knack for timely takeaways. But Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been sharp, typically only thrown off his game by steady pressure up front. Both sides rank in the top 10 for natural pressure (without the blitz), but San Francisco didn’t sack Packers QB Jordan Love even once in the divisional round.Who can start faster? Both the 49ers and Lions are…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-vs-lions-how-to-watch-time-tv-live-stream-key-matchups-prediction-for-nfc-championship/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-01-28 11:00:53
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