Lions vs. 49ers: Updated Odds, Predictions for NFC Championship Game 2024

As Sunday's showdown between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers draws closer, we've had a few interesting developments.

49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel continues to deal with a shoulder injury, and his status remains uncertain. The Lions have already ruled out standout guard Jonah Jackson and tight end Brock Wright. Detroit also signed three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to its practice squad.

Both teams will be looking for cleaner performances than they had in the divisional round and to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of the opposition. It's hard to know exactly what to expect, but this year's NFC Championship Game should provide loads of excitement.

Here, you'll find the updated odds, latest storylines and a few predictions with the NFC title game only days away.

Check the latest lines at DraftKings.

Date: Sunday, January 28

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV and Live Stream: Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports app

Line: San Francisco -7.5

Over/Under: 51.5 Points

Money Line: San Francisco -360 (bet $360 to win $100), Detroit +285 (bet $100 to win $285)

While the Lions ended up winning by eight in the divisional round, their underwhelming secondary (29th in net passing yards per attempt allowed) allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to hang in the game.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns, but the Lions snagged two interceptions that made the difference.

San Francisco had an even tougher time in their game, narrowly outlasting the Green Bay Packers—again, thanks to a pair of picks. Jordan Love repeatedly poked holes in the 49ers secondary, while Aaron Jones and the ground game controlled the tempo for most of the contest.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy also struggled for most of the game before leading a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter. He had a couple of poor throws that should have been picked off, and Purdy will need a better game if San Francisco hopes to outlast Detroit.

These teams are fairly evenly matched, but the 49ers are a fairly significant favorite for a couple of reasons. For one, they'll have home-field advantage. That's big in a playoff atmosphere, and only two teams—the Packers and Kansas City Chiefs—have won on the road this postseason.

Also, the 49ers have far more experience at this stage. This will be the fourth time in five seasons that Kyle Shanahan's team has reached the NFC Championship Game.

The Lions haven't been here since the 1991 season, though they remain confident ahead of Sunday's matchup.

"We're all going to come into the game with the expectation of winning it, going to the Super Bowl," pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson said, per ProFootballTalk's Michael David Smith. "That's what we believe."

After winning the NFC North and two playoff games, there's little reason for the Lions to feel any other way.

Injuries loom large for this matchup, especially those of Jackson and Samuel. The good news for Detroit is that star center Frank Ragnow (knee) is expected to go.

"Been rehabbing and feel pretty good so I'm in a good spot," Ragnow said, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

The better news for Detroit is that it matches up extremely well with San Francisco.

San Francisco's defense ranked eighth in total defense and third in points allowed. However, it was, at times, susceptible to the run. The Packers rushed for 136 yards last week, while Jones averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

Detroit's tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery can keep Detroit's ground game rolling, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a master at scheming open running lanes.

While the Lions defense is vulnerable to the pass, it is fantastic against the run. That should allow Detroit to limit Christian McCaffrey and force Purdy to carry San Francisco's offense. With Samuel unlikely to be close to 100 percent, that will be a difficult challenge.

This isn't to suggest that Purdy isn't up to the task. He didn't play great a week ago, but he has for most of the season. If Purdy leads San Francisco to Super Bowl LVIII, it'll be time for critics to stop arguing that he's a product of a talented roster and Shanahan's offense.

It could easily happen, but the prediction here is that the Lions force enough mistakes to steal a victory. Hutchinson and the Lions' defensive front can get after the quarterback, and the 49ers offensive line is extremely weak on the right side.

If Detroit can secure the errant passes that Green Bay dropped, the Lions stand a good chance of pulling off the upset.

Prediction: Detroit 30, San Francisco 27

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