History is on the line for both the 49ers and the Lions on Sunday.
This is the third consecutive year the 49ers have made the NFC championship game after San Francisco lost to the Rams and Eagles in back-to-back title game appearances in 2021 and 2022. The last time the 49ers won the conference championship was in 2019 before San Francisco lost in the Super Bowl to the Chiefs.
The Lions, meanwhile, are looking to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Detroit made the conference title game in 1991, but were beaten badly by Joe Gibbs and Washington, who would go on to win the Super Bowl. The Lions won four NFL championships from 1935-1957, but that was during the pre-Super Bowl era.
Now, the 49ers and Lions face off in a game featuring two very similarly constructed teams that drafted well and added one offensive star to complete their respective rosters.
The 49ers have mostly all home-grown talent – from Mr. Irrelevant himself Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle to inside linebacker Fred Warner and wideouts Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. The Lions did the same, just over a shorter period of time with rookies like running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch as well as third-year wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and second-year defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
Both teams traded for their offensive leaders, too, as the 49ers acquired superstar running back Christian McCaffrey in 2022 while the Lions took castoff quarterback Jared Goff from the Rams in the blockbuster Matthew Stafford trade in 2021.
San Francisco has been good for awhile under head coach Kyle Shanahan and finished with the No. 3 scoring offense and defense this season on its way to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Detroit came on strong at the end of the 2022 season in head coach Dan Campbell’s second year at the helm and continued that momentum in 2023 with the fifth-best scoring offense. The defense leaves a bit to be desired, but has done enough recently to get the Lions into conference title contention.
The two biggest questions heading into this game are: How healthy is Samuel for San Francisco and how will Detroit use recently signed tight end Zach Ertz?
Samuel injured his shoulder against the Packers on Saturday and didn’t return to the game. He has a “50-50” to play Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Lions signed three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad on Monday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, to join an already-loaded offensive group. It’ll be interesting to see how the 49ers operate offensively if Samuel is out and then how the Lions deploy Ertz in their offense.
Here is everything you need to know about 49ers vs. Lions, including TV and streaming options for the game.
When is 49ers vs. Lions playoff game?
Date: Sunday, Jan. 28 Time: 6:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. PT
49ers vs. Lions will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 28. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
What channel is 49ers vs. Lions on?
TV channel (national): Fox TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU (channel 2) TV channel (Detroit): WJBK (channel 2) Live stream: Fubo (United States) | DAZN (Canada)
49ers vs. Lions will air on Fox. Those in San Francisco City can watch locally on KTVU (channel 2) while those in Detroit can watch on WJBK (channel 2).
Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) and Greg Olsen (color analyst) will be on the call in the broadcast booth for Fox, while Erin Andrews will report from the sidelines.
Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo. Start your free trial today.
Fans in Canada can watch 49ers vs. Lions on DAZN, which carries NFL Game Pass.
49ers vs. Lions injury report
This section will be updated when injury reports are released.
DNP — Did not participate in practice
LP — Limited participation in practice
FP — Full participation
49ers injury report
Player Position Injury Wed. Thu. Fri. Deebo Samuel WR Shoulder DNP LP — Arik Armstead DE Foot/knee FP FP — Dre Greenlaw LB Achilles FP FP — George Odum DB Biceps FP FP — Ambry Thomas CB Hand FP FP — Kalia Davis DT Ankle — FP — Nick Bosa DE Rest DNP — — Trent Williams T Rest DNP — —
Lions injury report
Player Position Injury Wed. Thu. Fri. Jonah Jackson G Knee DNP DNP — Frank Ragnow C Ankle/toe/knee/back DNP DNP — Kalif Raymond WR Knee DNP DNP — Chase Lucas CB Illness — DNP — Sam LaPorta TE Knee DNP LP — Alex Anzalone MLB Shoulder/ribs LP LP — Josh Reynolds WR Ribs LP LP — James Houston DE Ankle FP FP —
49ers vs. Lions weather forecast
According to The Weather Channel forecast, the weather in Santa Clara looks fantastic. The forecast high on Jan. 28 is 72, with a low of 52.
There will be a very limited chance of precipitation as well – just 7% over the course of the day. Wind speeds will also be pretty light.
49ers vs. Lions playoff history
This will be just the third playoff game between the 49ers vs. Lions and the first since 1983.
The 49ers beat the Lions in the 1983 NFC divisional round thanks to a late touchdown from Joe Montana to Freddie Solomon. San Francisco won, 24-23, but lost to Washington in the NFC championship. The only other time both teams faced off was in the pre-Super Bowl era during the 1957 divisional round. Detroit won that one, 31-27, behind two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Lions won the NFL championship that year over the Browns, the franchise’s most recent title.
Season Round Location Result 2023 Conference Championship Levi’s Stadium TBD 1983 Divisional Round Candlestick Park 49ers 24, Lions 23 1957 Divisional Round Kezar Stadium Lions 31, 49ers 27
NFL playoff schedule 2024
Conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 28 Game Kickoff time (ET) TV channel Chiefs at Ravens 3 p.m. CBS, Fubo Lions at 49ers 6:30 p.m. Fox, Fubo
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