The Lions are trying to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history when they play the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 28.
Detroit reached the conference title game with a 31-23 victory over Tampa Bay in the divisional round. Jared Goff completed 30 of 43 pass attempts for 287 yards with two touchdowns for Detroit, which advanced to the conference championship for the first time in 32 years and just the second time in franchise history.
Detroit rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 74 yards rushing on nine carries (8.2 average), including a 31-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also caught four passes for 40 yards.
The Lions boosted their lineup with the signing of three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, who was released by the Cardinals in November. Ertz has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns in 11 seasons.
The addition is crucial, because Lions tight end Brock Wright sustained a forearm injury against the Buccaneers.
The Lions have won two playoff games in a season for the first time since 1957, the last year they won the NFL title, and had two postseason games at home for the first time.
The 49ers are the No. 1 seed as NFC West champions and have the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 3 scoring defense.
San Francisco advanced to their third straight conference championship game with a 24-21 victory over Green Bay. Brock Purdy was 23 of 39 for 252 yards with a touchdown. Running back Christian McCaffrey had 98 yards on 17 carries with two scores. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel injured his shoulder on the opening drive and missed most of the game.
The 49ers have one of the NFL’s most talented rosters and had nine players selected to the Pro Bowl – defensive ends Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Fred Warner, tackle Trent Williams, McCaffrey and Purdy.
