Live updates for Lions vs. 49ers: NFC Championship game
initial quarter
FOX 2 (WJBK) -Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams scored the opening touchdown with a 7-0 advantage after galloping 42 yards on a reversal.
After winning the coin toss and deferring, the 49ers sent the ball to the Lions, who moved 71 yards in four plays. David Montgomery’s 15-yard run and Jared Goff’s 14-yard pass to Sam LaPorta were key chunks of yards.
A Week 1 rematch in the Super Bowl awaits the Detroit Lions if they defeat the San Francisco 49ers.
In the AFC Championship match earlier on Sunday, the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens were upset 17-10 by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Back on September 7, the Lions defeated the Chiefs 21-10 on the road in the first game of the season. Naturally, that was the game that NBC’s Mike Tirico said had a “asterisk” attached to it because standout tight end Travis Kelce of Kansas City was hurt and therefore unable to participate.
But first, the Niners, who were 7.5-point favorites over the Lions going into the NFC Championship game, will take the field.
History is not on the Lions’ favor, as usual; they are 0-11 in their last 66 postseason away games and have not won one.
However, it does make me think of the well-known statement made by Mark Twain, “History doesn’t repeat itself,
The Lions did, however, win a postseason road game the last time they did, which was in 1957 when they defeated the 49ers to get to the NFL championship (which was played before the Super Bowl).
More recently, the Lions suffered a heartbreaking playoff loss to San Francisco in 1983. With 11 seconds remaining, Detroit kicker Eddie Murray attempted a 43-yard field goal, but it was missed, allowing the Niners to win 24-23.
There will be a lot of support for the Lions at the game; the Detroit News reports that about 25% of tickets purchased were by Lions supporters. The average conference championship visitor percentage is typically far less than 10%, with only 3% in.
