The NFC championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions pits two teams with quarterbacks taken at the literal opposite ends of their respective drafts.
While Lions quarterback Jared Goff was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy waited until the last pick of the seventh round – No. 262 – in 2022 before his name was called. Now, they’ll face off for a shot at the Super Bowl.
Both sides look to exercise some postseason demons as well.
The 49ers lost two consecutive conference championship games since 2021 – first to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Rams in 2021 and then to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. San Francisco also lost in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
The Lions, meanwhile, haven’t been to a conference championship since 1991 (which they lost) and have never even been to a Super Bowl. Detroit did, however, win three pre-1970 NFL-AFL merger championships from 1952-1957.
The 49ers will return to the NFC title game with effectively the same roster they had this past season.
Purdy remains under center, while the offensive talent of running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk will always be a threat. Samuel is the biggest question mark after he suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the divisional round. He returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to suit up Sunday.
The Lions are effectively an upgraded version of the team that went 8-2 to end the 2022 season. Goff looks better in Ben Johnson’s offense, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown proved to be an elite pass-catcher and the team added two sensational rookies in running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta. Oh yeah, and running back David Montgomery – Detroit’s big free-agent acquisition – rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
San Francisco’s defense could pose problems for Goff and company, though, after the unit finished third in points allowed and second in yards allowed. The 49ers have playmakers every level of the defense and can force takeaways at any point in the game. Detroit’s strength defensively is up front with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who wracked up 11.5 sacks this season. Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch proved to be effective in the secondary as well.
Here’s what you need to know about Sunday’s NFC championship clash between the 49ers and the Lions, including broadcast information and start time.
What time is 49ers vs. Lions today?
- 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
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49ers vs. Lions channel
- Live stream: Fubo (United States) | DAZN (Canada)
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU (channel 2)
- TV channel (Detroit): WJBK (channel 2)
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.
49ers vs. Lions live streams
Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo. Start your free trial today.
Meanwhile, fans in Canada can watch 49ers vs. Lions on DAZN, which carries NFL Game Pass.
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 |