Sunday, January 28, 2024

NFC Championship Predictions


Biglead (LIONS (+6.5) over 49ERS:  Six and a half points???? Six and a half?? After how these two teams won last week? With Deebo Samuel's status seriously in question? Dare we say, ladies and gentlemen, that this is as close to free money as you'll find in the playoffs. It's tough to understand how San Fran is favored by this much but it should come to our benefit.  Jared Goff definitely struggles in the elements but, unlike the previous two contests, the Lions will be using the run game to set up the pass game rather than the inverse. The Niners, for all their defensive prowess, are not very good at defending the run, especially in short yardage situations. Detroit's defense has been in "bend but not break" mode all postseason and done a tremendous job. The Niners' offense looked super not great for a while against the Packers. They are not the unbeatable juggernaut everyone assumed they were heading into the playoffs. Both sides have enough offensive firepower to hang if their respective defenses collapse. The game could take many shapes-- it doesn't feel like a blowout.  This is going to be a competitive contest. Neither team likes to win easy. Both have flaws that could prove fatal. We wouldn't blame you if you wanted to ride the San Fran moneyline, banking on homefield advantage and a regression to the mean for the Niners' offense. But the Lions will cover, and dammit, we're planting our flag: They're going to win. Lions 30, 49ers 27):  https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/nfl-championship-predictions-picks-spread-lines-01hms1vpg4fb

Walter football (Week 21 NFL Pick: Lions 26, 49ers 23):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2023_21late.php

O'HARA'S NFC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Lions just one game away from ultimate goal (My pick: Lions 27, 49ers 23.):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-nfc-championship-preview-lions-just-one-game-away-from-ultimate-goal


Lions finally get chance at NFC Championship; 5 things to watch as Detroit faces 49ers (PREDICTION: Lions 27, Niners 24. This is likely to come down to the wire. Campbell says the Lions were built for this, now they have a chance to prove it.):  https://lionslowdown.com/2024/01/27/lions-finally-get-chance-at-nfc-championship-5-things-to-watch-as-detroit-faces-49ers/

Detroit News (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 34-31, 28-24, 33-29.  1 picks SF to win 31-26):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/26/predictions-detroit-lions-at-san-francisco-49ers-nfc-championship/72340156007/

Freep (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 28-27, 31-28, 27-24.  1 picks SF to win 28-24):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/28/detroit-lions-predictions-san-francisco-49ers-nfc-championship-game/72381380007/

USA Today Lions at 49ers: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL playoff game (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 27-25, 24-23, 29-26.  2 pick SF to win by scores of 29-24, 27-21):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/01/24/detroit-lions-san-francisco-49ers-nfc-title-predictions-picks-odds/72318086007/

SI All Lions Predictions: Lions-49ers (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 20-17, 23-21, 24-23.  2 pick SF to win by scores of 31-27, 31-24):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-49ers-playoffs

NFL.com Preview (5 pick SF to win by scores of 34-27, 29-22, 30-21, 28-21, 33-24.  5 pick the Lions to win by scores of 31-28, 36-35, 27-26, 24-21, 31-30):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-49ers-preview-nfc-championship-game

Our guide to Chiefs-Ravens, Lions-49ers: Picks, predictions and stats to know (Moody's pick: Lions 31, 49ers 28.  Walder's pick: 49ers 34, Lions 24):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/nflviewguide012624/nfl-conference-championships-playoffs-schedule-guide-odds-injuries-stats


SN Iyer 49ers vs. Lions NFC championship picks (Pick: 49ers win 34-20 and cover the spread (-7), and the game goes OVER the total (51).):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/49ers-lions-pick-prediction-against-spread-nfc-championship/6ba24943ee30bc076ad8ab1d


CBS Benjamin (Lions at 49ers:  The matchup: It's top dog versus underdog, at least historically speaking. The 49ers have been an NFC powerhouse under Kyle Shanahan, advancing to their fourth conference title game in the last five years. The Lions, meanwhile, are making their first multi-game playoff run since 1991, also seeking their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.  The talent: Both the 49ers and Lions have been well-balanced in 2023, entering the playoffs with the NFL's No. 2- and No. 3-ranked offenses, respectively. San Francisco has two MVP candidates in second-year quarterback Brock Purdy and star running back Christian McCaffrey, while also boasting an opportunistic all-star defense led by All-Pros Fred Warner and Charvarius Ward. Detroit has similarly leaned on both the run and play-action, with Jared Goff enjoying a career renaissance as the point guard for an attack featuring play-makers like Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.  The journey: The 49ers went 12-5 this year to secure the NFC's No. 1 seed, then survived a comeback attempt by the upstart Packers in a 24-21 Divisional Round win. The Lions went 12-5 to win the NFC North for the first time since 1993, then edged the Rams in a 24-23 wild-card win before outlasting the Buccaneers, 31-23, to advance to the conference championship.  Early prediction: Detroit is a feel-good story, living up to preseason hype as a hard-nosed fighter, and if Goff gets run support while feeding St. Brown early and often, the Lions are capable of the upset. But Goff has also been significantly less effective on the road than at home, and the 49ers tend to take advantage of defensive opportunities. While Purdy and Shanahan proved vulnerable in their decision-making against the Packers, the superior talent is the safer bet. Pick: 49ers 27, Lions 23):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoffs-afc-nfc-championship-times-odds-tv-streaming-predictions-for-conference-finales/

CBS Prisco (Detroit Lions (+7) at San Francisco 49ers - The Lions come into this game facing a steep challenge against the NFC's best team. But the Lions have the offense to keep up with the 49ers, who should have success against the Lions defense.  I think the key to beating the 49ers is to block them up front and take shots at a so-so secondary. That's what the Packers did last week, which is what the Lions will do in this one.  They have to stay out of third-and-long situations, which means throwing on early downs, which coordinator Ben Johnson loves to do. I think they will look to take advantage of a strength.  The problem is the Lions have issues on defense, especially at corner. While Brock Purdy didn't play that great last week, he is capable of getting hot and lighting up this Lions secondary. With Christian McCaffrey good as both a runner and receiver, the Lions have to key on him. That will open up the passing game for Purdy down the field. I think Brandon Aiyuk will have a big game.  This has all the makings of a shootout in my mind. I think Jared Goff will play well for the Lions, but in the end it will be the 49ers heading to the Super Bowl. It just won't be easy.  Pick: 49ers 34, Lions 31):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-nfl-conference-championship-picks-patrick-mahomes-chiefs-get-back-to-super-bowl-lions-49ers-tight/

Pro picks (DETROIT (14-5) at SAN FRANCISCO (13-5) - Line: 49ers minus 7.  Jared Goff and the Lions are one win away from the franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl. If the 49ers play the way they did last week against Green Bay, Dan Campbell’s team will be going to Las Vegas.  Brock Purdy and the 49ers weren’t sharp on a rainy night against the Packers, but their QB delivered in the clutch to lead a comeback win and bring them back to being a win away from the Super Bowl. Purdy should get his chance to throw against the Lions, who had the NFL’s second-best run defense but were 27th against the pass. He’ll need Deebo Samuel, who is uncertain to play because of a shoulder injury.  All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey had a big game last week and is also dangerous as a pass-catcher so the Lions can’t simply focus on stopping the run.  Goff led the league’s No. 2 passing offense, throwing to All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and standout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. He’s got David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield, too.  But the Lions averaged five fewer points per game on the road and the field in San Francisco is a slower track. Plus, they’re facing one of the league’s best defenses led by All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and star rusher Nick Bosa.  Pro Picks expects the 49ers to bring their best after getting routed in Philadelphia in last year’s NFC title game when Purdy suffered a significant elbow injury.  49ERS, 30-20):  https://apnews.com/article/nfl-pro-picks-conference-championships-a30495ed6d68b2c0e07f485393dfb47c

NFL picks: Chiefs to upset Ravens on Championship Sunday? Will Lions or 49ers earn Super Bowl berth? (49ers 28-24, 49ers 28-23, 49ers 28-24, 49ers 31-27, 49ers 27-24):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-picks-championship-sunday-2023-nfl-season

CBS Sullivan (Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers - Laying a full touchdown in a game of this magnitude is always a little sketchy, but the only real reservation I have about the 49ers would be the elements, as we saw Brock Purdy struggle a bit in the rain last week at Levi's Stadium. However, the forecast is calling for a partly cloudy, 72-degree day in Santa Clara on Sunday, so I don't believe we'll have any weather concerns. Outside of that, I have confidence in Kyle Shanahan finding a way to torch this Lions secondary that already saw Matthew Stafford throw for 367 yards and Baker Mayfield throw for 349 yards in the playoffs. Purdy had an NFL-record 9.6 yards per attempt this season and the Lions ranked 31st in the league in that category. Even if the Niners don't have Deebo Samuel (shoulder) for this game, the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle should be enough to gash them.  Defensively, the 49ers apply pressure without blitzing 34.5% of the time, which is 10th best in the league. When pressured this season, Jared Goff is completing just 53% of his passes with a 4.9 yards-per-attempt average.  In their last six playoff home games, the 49ers are 5-1 ATS with that lone ATS loss coming last week against Green Bay. Following an ATS loss in his career, Purdy is 6-2 ATS.   Projected score: 49ers 30, Lions 20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-afc-nfc-championship-picks-ravens-outlast-chiefs-49ers-blow-out-lions-to-advance-to-super-bowl-lviii/

Lions vs. 49ers: NFC Championship preview and best bets (Game prediction: 49ers 27, Lions 24):  https://www.mlive.com/betting/2024/01/lions-vs-49ers-nfc-championship-preview-and-best-bets.html

PFT (Lions at 49ers (-7) - Simms and I both picked the 49ers to get to the Super Bowl before the season started, and we’re not wavering now. I think the Lions will cover; Simms doesn’t.  The Lions are good enough to win this one, especially if Brock Purdy has another bad day. But the weather should cooperate, and Purdy should be able to solve a secondary that is far from the primary strength of the Lions.  The Lions, I think, will score points and keep it close. But the Super Bowl will have to wait another year for the Lions.  Florio: 49ers, 24-21.  Simms: 49ers, 30-20.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-2023-nfl-conference-championship-picks-florio-vs-simms

CBS Dajani (Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers (-7) - Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo).  I've been painted as a Lions hater because I had a running column this year attempting to sort out contenders and pretenders throughout the course of the regular season. I saw the Lions as a top-10 team in the NFL during the season, but does that make them a contender? I think the offense is loaded, but the defense always worried me. I watched their 38-6 loss to the Ravens, the 41-38 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and their losses to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears closely, and it had me wondering if they were in that same tier with Baltimore or San Francisco. Now, they get a chance to prove it.  The Lions had home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and they made the most of it. The win over the Los Angeles Rams was impressive, and then the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was probably expected. Now, they hit the road to play outside for the first time since Dec. 10! We aren't expecting rain in California like last week, but this is still a road game in just a little bit cooler weather than Detroit's dome provides. The Lions haven't won a playoff game on the road since 1957. As for the 49ers, Deebo Samuel has no game designation with his shoulder injury, and will play. This is big, because the 49ers are 14-1 when Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and Samuel all play the entire game. The 49ers didn't look very polished on either side of the ball last week against the Packers. I'm assuming they will this week. The reason I have the 49ers winning this game is because Purdy's passing attack works off timing routes/anticipation. The Lions secondary can be taken advantage of, especially when you consider the amount of playmakers San Francisco has. Will the 49ers key on George Kittle dominating at the second level and rely on his YAC? Maybe the 49ers will feature Brandon Aiyuk against Cam Sutton. Then there's that McCaffrey guy, who can do everything. I would consider buying a full point just to be safe. It's probably worth the price, but either way I have the 49ers winning this matchup. Kyle Shanahan is 5-0 at home in the playoffs.  Projected score: 49ers 35-24):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-afc-nfc-championship-game-picks-49ers-get-back-to-super-bowl-ravens-hold-off-patrick-mahomes-chiefs/

Sports book wire NFC Championship: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers odds, picks and predictions (Prediction - 49ers 24, Lions 20):  https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/2024/01/27/nfc-championship-detroit-lions-at-san-francisco-49ers-odds-picks-and-predictions/



Lions vs. 49ers: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction (Final score prediction - I think the 7-point line favoring the 49ers is way too high. I think the Lions would win about 46 of 100 matchups between these two current teams in San Francisco. Here’s hoping it’s one of the 46! But I can’t in good faith pick against the NFC’s top team at home with how good they are on both sides of the ball. 49ers 32, Lions 28.):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/01/28/lions-vs-49ers-game-preview-last-minute-thoughts-and-final-score-prediction/

FOX Sports' Skip Bayless, host of "The Skip Bayless Show," said Detroit will have trouble at San Francisco. The weather is expected to be around 70 degrees. (Bayless predicts a 35-14 win for the home team.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-nfl-odds-lions-play-outdoors-for-first-time-in-seven-weeks

Non-Score Predictions:


'GMFB' makes their game pick for Lions-49ers (2 pick SF to win.  2 pick the Lions to win):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/gmfb-makes-their-game-pick-for-lions-49ers

ESPN (6 pick SF to win.  3 pick the Lions to win):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/picks

NFC Championship Game picks | 'NFL GameDay View' (2 pick SF to win.  1 picks the Lions to win):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfc-championship-game-picks-nfl-gameday-view

SI (5 pick SF to win.  1 picks the Lions to win):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/01/25/championship-weekend-staff-picks-mmqb





79 pick SF to win.  37 pick the Lions to win.  The Average Predicted Score is (1686-1513/60):   SF 28 Lions 25
Posted by LionsFan at 8:57 AM

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