A clash of titans awaits as the San Francisco 49ers gear up for the NFC Championship Game against the equally formidable Detroit Lions.
The thrilling showdown is not just a battle of skill and strategy, but a testament to the consistency and prowess that brought these teams to the pinnacle of the NFL and on the verge of a Super Bowl berth.
The pressure is on the 49ers, but judging by regular-season statistics, it’s mostly good news for San Francisco, with a slight edge on offense and a larger one on defense.
However, injuries to key players such as versatile 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, along with Lions offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Frank Ragnow, could add more unpredictability to this weekend’s game.
two of the NFL’s best offenses
Both teams have been offensive powerhouses, but the 49ers hold a narrow advantage. The Niners earned 6,966 yards on offense this season, while the Lions gained 6,917.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy led the league with 9.3 yards per passing attempt, significantly outperforming Jared Goff’s 7.6 yards. Both Purdy and Goff were well above league average in completion percentage, but the 49ers’ signal-caller was slightly more accurate.
On the ground, the 49ers are equally dominant, tied in the NFL for the most rushing touchdowns. The 49ers’ slightly more-efficient running game, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, might be crucial, especially considering the Lions’ depth concerns with Jackson’s knee injury.
49ers have the edge on defense
The 49ers’ defense has been particularly stout, allowing only 31 touchdowns compared with the Lions’ 46.
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But interestingly, both teams are better at handling the rush than the pass, potentially setting the stage for a fast-paced passing duel.
Both the 49ers and Lions intercepted more passes than the league average this season, but San Francisco tied for the league lead with 22 picks.
Who has the kicking edge?
Kicking can make or break a tight game, and both of these teams have shortcomings in this phase.
49ers rookie Jake Moody made 84% of his field goals during the regular season, which was slightly below league average. The Lions made 90.5% of theirs, with new kicker Michael Badgley making all four of his field goals after taking over for Riley Patterson.
Badgley and Patterson made 92% of their extra points in the regular season, while Moody converted over 98% of his. The latter percentage was nearly 3 percentage points above league average, while the former was 3 percentage points below.
These discrepancies could be critical in a game that seems likely to come down to only a handful of points.
Key injuries
The 49ers will have Arik Armstead in his second game back from a foot injury to bolster their defense, but Samuel’s shoulder injury looms as a potential game-changer.
His ability to play could significantly impact their offensive strategy. The 49ers went 1-3 in games Samuel missed or didn’t finish during the season and playoffs.
Samuel was cleared late Friday for unrestricted action in the conference title game. The Lions ruled out Jackson, but Ragnow participated in a full practice and is expected to play.
