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The San Francisco 49ers enter Sunday’s NFC Championship Game as seven-point favorites over the Detroit Lions.
That may seem like a lot given how good the Lions have looked through their first two playoff games, not to mention their ability to score with just about any team in the league, but it is not if you take into consideration their weakness (pass defense) and the plethora of weapons the NFC West champs have at their disposal.
Brandon Aiyuk led the Niners in targets in 2023 with 105 and may be the best wide receiver on the team. Deebo Samuel will play Sunday after suffering an injury in last Saturday’s divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers, and his explosiveness in the pass and run games makes him a duel threat.
Then there is All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is big and physical, but is deceptively fast and can take a six-yard in route for 30 yards and a score.
There have been plenty of questions surrounding second-year quarterback Brock Purdy and his ability to lead the 49ers to a Lombardi Trophy but he is an MVP candidate this season and has thrown multiple touchdowns in half of his games.
If San Francisco’s offensive line can protect him from Aaron Glenn’s defensive pressures, and give him just enough time to get the ball out of his hands without forcing a play, Purdy will have the opportunity to hurl multiple touchdowns, as Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield did in the previous two games.
The Lions’ pass defense is unarguably the worst unit on the field in either of the two championship games and, as gutsy and inspirational as Detroit’s story has been to this point, that back half will likely prove the difference.
A crucial turnover by Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who still struggles against pressure, could seal the deal and ensure the spread is met or surpassed.
Prediction: 49ers cover the spread
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