The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers will square off in the NFL playoffs for the third time on Sunday in the NFC Championship.
For the first time since the 1991 campaign, the Detroit Lions have advanced to the NFC championship game. After their last visit, which resulted in a depressing 41-10 loss to the Washington Redskins, supporters are hoping for a better conclusion. The Lions will now go to the Bay Area to play the 49ers, with the winner securing a trip to the Super Bowl. Fans may remember from past clashes that these two clubs have faced off before in previous postseason contests.
The 49ers and Lions have met twice in the postseason.
There have been two prior postseason meetings between the Lions and 49ers; the first was at Kezar Stadium during Detroit’s 1957 championship season.
In order to help the Lions win the Western Conference championship, they had to mount a comeback, and backup quarterback Tobin Rote, who replaced the injured Bobby Layne, was instrumental in pulling off 24 points in a row. It’s worth noting that the Lions’ 1957 triumph was their final away postseason triumph.
The last time the @Lions triumphed in an away playoff game was 66 years ago.
This victory in San Francisco over the 49ers allowed them to go to the 1957 NFL Championship Game.
The Lions were NFL Champions last that season.
Hall of Fame for Pro Football (@ProFootballHOF) 21 January 2024
In the 1983 NFC Divisional round, the 49ers triumphed against the Lions.
The 49ers pulled off a thrilling victory over the Lions at Candlestick Park in their second postseason matchup. The 49ers extended their lead after the half, with tight end Russ Francis and quarterback Joe Montana connecting for a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Lions trailed 14-9 at the half. Billy Sims scored two touchdowns for Detroit, including the game-winning touchdown with less than five minutes left, as the team rallied.
Kicker Eddie Murray missed a chance to win the game in the last seconds of the fourth quarter, which allowed the 49ers to win even though the Lions had set themselves up for one. Montana was vital to the story.
