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Post by D6 on Jan 23, 2024 3:50:19 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 24, 2024 15:33:31 GMT -5
Lions’ last road playoff win was at San Francisco, in 1957
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers is a rematch 66 years in the making
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After the 49ers build a big lead against the Lions in the 1957 Western Conference playoff game (both teams were tied at 8-4 after the regular season), there was an announcement at Kezar Stadium that about tickets for the NFL Championship game. In addition, Lions players could hear the 49ers laughing and celebrating at halftime, as both locker rooms were next to each other. The Lions came out with resolve in the 2nd half, with an eventual 20 point deficit being overcome to advance to the NFL Championship game against the Browns. For a very long time, this was the largest comeback in NFL Playoff history. Knowing the resolve of the Dan Campbell led Lions, I'm confident that the Lions will get back into the game if the 49ers build a big lead in the 2023 NFL Championship game.
The closest the Lions were to winning a road playoff game after the 1957 season was in San Francisco in the 1983 season. The 49ers led 24-23, with the Lions having a chance to win the game in the last few seconds on a 43-yard FG attempt by K Ed Murray. This, despite Lions QB Gary Danielson having 5 interceptions in the game. Murray's FG attempt was No Good, as he missed Wide Right. The 49ers advanced to the NFC Conference Championship game, in which they lost on the road to the Redskins.
The upcoming NFC Championship game is the 3rd time the Lions and 49ers will be meeting in the playoffs.
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Post by D6 on Jan 24, 2024 15:57:05 GMT -5
What does history say about one seeds versus three seeds?
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Unlike in the AFC, where the # 1 seed Baltimore Ravens had a better record than the Kansas City Chiefs by 2 games (not even factoring in that the Ravens sat key starters against the Steelers in the regular season finale, a game the Ravens lost), the Lions and 49ers finished the regular season with the same record (12-5). Granted, the 49ers lost to the LA Rams in the regular season finale, a game in which both teams sat out key starters. Hence, at most, the 49ers were 1 game better than the Lions in the regular season. From that standpoint, the two teams are closer than in the typical # 3 vs # 1 Seeds Conference Championship Game.
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Post by D6 on Jan 25, 2024 4:39:33 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 25, 2024 15:19:29 GMT -5
PFT’s 2023 NFL conference championship picks, Florio vs. Simms
Florio: 49ers, 24-21.
Simms: 49ers, 30-20.
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The reality of the situation is it's very difficult to get to a Conference Championship game. Buffalo is a prime example of this in the AFC, as the Bills have only reached the AFC Championship game once in the 5 seasons that QB Josh Allen helped lead them to the playoffs. With the NFC North shaping up as a strong division over the next few seasons, it remains to be seen when or if the Lions will get back to the NFC Championship game? The upcoming NFC Championship game in San Francisco is an opportunity the Lions need to capitalize on. It won't be remotely easy.
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Post by D6 on Jan 25, 2024 16:22:58 GMT -5
Lions have a distinct defensive advantage in a close game vs. the 49ers
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The Lions overall track record in close games has been impressive since the turnaround in the middle of the 2022 season. In the 2023 season, it's at or near the top of the list of reasons why the Lions won the NFC North Championship and two playoff games, to reach the NFC Championship Game. Great job by the Lions players and coaches.
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Post by D6 on Jan 25, 2024 16:52:43 GMT -5
7 things 49ers must improve from divisional round to win NFC championship
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CB Ambry Thomas, who played his college ball with Michigan, is a player the Lions definitely need to challenge. Ben Johnson/ Jared Goff did a great job challenging Bucs CB Zyon McCollum, after he replaced an injured Jamel Dean, who doing a very good to great job in coverage for the Bucs in the game. Thomas' struggles in this game and in at least one other 49ers game I saw, have been noticeable.
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Post by D6 on Jan 26, 2024 15:46:41 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 26, 2024 16:50:40 GMT -5
3 causes for concern for 49ers in NFC championship
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If James Houston is on the Lions Game Day roster (my guess is he will be, as he wasn't given an injury designation), that could help open the door for the Lions to be able to compensate on some plays that Aidan Hutchinson is double teammed in some fashion.
The Lions running game is an essential component of the Lions Offense. I'm confident the Lions will remain committed to the running game longer than the vast majority of NFL teams would if the 49ers build a sizable 2nd half lead.
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Post by D6 on Jan 27, 2024 18:28:54 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 27, 2024 19:06:06 GMT -5
49ers elevate LB, WR from practice squad for NFC championship
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It makes sense for the 49ers to be prepared, in case Deebo Samuel suffers a setback prior to 90 minutes before the beginning of the game. Willie Snead IV won't remind anyone of Samuel. But he's a long time NFL WR, with playoff experience with the Saints and Ravens.
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Post by D6 on Jan 28, 2024 0:36:09 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 28, 2024 0:56:25 GMT -5
Behind Enemy Lines: Can Lions QB Jared Goff beat the 49ers?
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The point spread is currently 49ers -7 or 7.5, as the consensus. Once it became known that Deebo Samuel didn't have an injury designation, the 49ers -6.5 spread became a thing of the past.
Considering how well the Lions have done in close games since the 2nd half of last season, I'll glad take my chances with a close game in upcoming NFL Championship Game.
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Post by D6 on Jan 28, 2024 2:30:11 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Jan 28, 2024 2:39:22 GMT -5
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