LIONS vs. 49ERS | NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers would take the field for the second NFL Championship game this evening. The Lions (12-5) punched their ticket to this round after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The 49ers (12-5) advanced to this round after surviving the Green Bay Packers last week. The winner of this game will face the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Detroit would receive the ball first to start the game. They would move quickly up the field by running the ball on offense. Lions RB David Montgmery would run for 19 yards total off two plays. Two plays later, the Lions would score on a 42 yard touchdown run from WR Jameson Williams.
San Francisco took possession and QB Brock Purdy got to work. He completed two passes that took the 49ers into Lions’ territory. Their 12 play opening drive would come to a halt after kicker Jake Moody missed a 48 yard field goal. With a 7-0 lead, Detroit would take the ball back. QB Jared Goff would utilize his running backs on this drive, completing passes to Montgomery and RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
After completing a pass to WR Amon-Ra St. Brown for 13 yards, the Lions were in 49ers territory. Montgomery’s number was called again as he would score on a 1 yard touchdown run. Their 11 play drive covered 65 yards and gave them a two-score lead. San Francisco could not match them with a score to end the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
The 49ers down early worked quickly to rebound. Purdy would connect on two big passes to FB Kyle Juszczyk (23 yards) and RB Christian McCaffrey (28 yards) to push them into the redzone. Two plays later they finished their 8 play drive with a rushing touchdown from McCaffrey to make the score 14-7.
The Lions failed to capitalize on their first offensive possession of the quarter resulting in a punt. Deep in their own territory, San Francisco attempted to add to their lead. Five plays into their drive, Purdy would be intercepted on a pass to WR Deebo Samuel. The Lions would capitalize on the turnover in just five plays with Gibbs scoring on a 15 yard touchdown run.
Down two scores again, the 49ers failed after 3 plays and had to punt. Detroit would turn to Montgomery again as he was utilized both on the ground and through the air to move past the 50 yard line. After the two-minute warning, they moved into the red zone after Goff connected a pass to with St. Brown for 23 yards. In the final ten seconds of the half, the Lions would add a field goal to increase their huge lead. With the score 24-7 at halftime, the 49ers need to make adjustments quick to keep their Super Bowl chances alive.
AFTER THE BREAK
Even though they would receive the ball to start the third quarter, the 49ers needed to turn things around fast. Purdy would get his offense going with two passess to Samuel that got them into Lions’ territory. They would settle for a 43 yard field goal from Moody, making the score 24-10.
Detroit would take possession and move down the field in 8 plays. Their drive stalled out on fourth down after an incomplete pass from Goff. San Francisco would take over and five plays later would score on a touchdown pass from Purdy to Brandon Aiyuk to make it a one score game. Leading 24-17, the Lions would fumble on a Gibbs run. The 49ers scored again of a McCaffrey touchdown run four plays later, tying the score at 24.
After a quick three-and-out from the Lions on offense, San Francisco would receive the ball again to end the third quarter with the momentum in their favor to win this game.
FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
The 49ers would move quickly into Lions’ territory off a a big pass from Purdy to TE George Kittle for 28 yards. With the ball in the red zone, the Lions defense would step up and record two sacks on Purdy. Unable to gain enough yards to continue the drive, the Niners would settle for a field goal that gave them their first lead of the contest 27-24.
Detroit took control on offense trying to stifle the comeback attempt. They would find themselves in 49ers territory after a Williams catch from Goff for 22 yards and a Montgomery run for 16 yards. Instead of going for a field goal that would have tied the game, the Lions would turn the ball over on downs after another incomplete pass on fourth down.
San Francisco would take over on offense. Purdy would use his feet on this drive, running for a big 21 yard gain on third down. The Lions could not stop the Niners as RB Elijah Mitchell would score on a 3 yard touchdown run. Now down 10 points and two mintues left in the game, the Lions would take possession with their season on the line!
Detroit would get into the red zone to try to make it a one score game again. After being stopped on third down, the Lions faced another fourth down situation. Goff would find Williams on a 3 yard touchdown pass, making the score 34-31 with less than a minute to go in the game. A penalty on an onside kick attempt by the Lions would seal the comeback victory for the 49ers!
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
With this win, the San Francisco 49ers are the NFC Champions! They will face the Kansas City Chiefs in two weeks in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. The Lions season ends tonight but there run this year will not be forgotten as they will be contenders next year.
Congratulations to the 49ers on their victory today! What do you think about this game and who is your pick to win Super Bowl LVIII? Let us know down in the comments below.
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