Recap: San Francisco 49ers defeat Detroit Lions, 34-31, in the NFC Championship

The San Francisco 49ers finally brought Detroit’s postseason run to an end Sunday evening, defeating the visiting Lions 34-31 in the NFC Championship. Detroit entered the locker room with a commanding 24-7 lead over the home team, but collapsed in the second due to some dropped passes, a fumble and a massive swing in momentum. 

The Lions’ offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and looked prime to continue in the second. However, in just a few key plays in the third quarter, the game completely flipped. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds had a couple of key drops that brought drives to complete stops and star rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled more than halfway through the third quarter. 

Detroit’s defense was great in the first half, slowing a potent San Francisco offense to just a touchdown. However, the 49ers took full advantage of the Lions’ miscues and ripped off 27 straight points to take their first lead of the night and ultimately, secure victory.

Quarterback Jared Goff finished with 273 passing yards, and a touchdown. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta was the favorite target of the night, coming down with 97 yards on nine receptions. Running back David Montgomery led the team with 93 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Lions can't recover onside kick, 49ers heading to the Super Bowl

Drive starts: DET 25 (3:02 4th)

The Lions have to score. After an incompletion and a short 4-yard pass to Gibbs, LaPorta bring in a key 9-yard reception to keep the chains moving. He goes back to LaPorta on the next play for a 13-yard gain.

Goff keeps firing through the air. Reynolds snags a deep 25-yard pass, LaPorta grabs a quick eight and St. Brown gets seven. The Lions are inside the 10-yard line. It's yet another eight yards on the next play to make it first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. After an incompletion, Montgomery loses a couple yards and it's fourth-and-goal. Goff finally connects with Williams in the touchdown to keep the game alive.

49ers 34, Lions 31 (0:56 4th)

The Lions have to attempt the onside kick and they don't recover, icing the game for the 49ers.

Final: 49ers 34, Lions 31

49ers march down the field, lead Lions 34-24

Drive starts: DET 25 (9:52 4th)

Williams snags a pass that's nearly intercepted to start off the drive, coming up with a 22-yard chunk play to breath some life into the offense.

It's yet another chunk play on the next snap, this time a 16-yard rush from Montgomery. Detroit goes for another chunk gain on the third play of the drive, but Williams can't quite bring down a deep ball in the endzone and it's second-and-10. Goff overthrows Gibbs on second down and it's quickly third.

St. Brown snags a 7-yard reception on third down to make it fourth-and-3. Detroit goes for it. Goff gets pressured and throws an incompletion, turning over the possession on downs.

Drive starts: SF 30 (7:32 4th)

McCaffrey rushes up the middle for a 7-yard rush and Purdy connects with Samuel for eight. McCaffrey takes another first-down carry for a couple and snags another five on second down with a dump off. Detroit's pass rush nearly brings down Purdy, but he escapes the pocket and wheels ahead for a 21-yard rush.

McCaffrey rushes for 25 yards and the 49ers are inside in the five yard. Mitchell punches it in the endzone and the Lions are down by two scores.

49ers 34, Lions 24 (3:02 4th)

49ers settle for field goal, capture first lead of the night in fourth quarter

Drive starts: DET 25 (3:02 3rd)

Montgomery gets just a yard on first down and LaPorta can't come down with a catch on second down. Reynolds drops the third down pass and the Lions have to punt it away.

Drive starts: SF 20 (2:01 3rd)

Purdy is nearly sacked but throws a sideline pass to Juszczyk for a quick first down. McCaffrey gets a couple of carries for 14 yards to keep the chains moving along.

Purdy connects with Kittle just a couple plays later for another chunk play. The star tight end snags a 28-yard pass and the 49ers are just outside the red zone.

McCaffery takes a first-down carry for four yards and Purdy scrambles out of the pocket for a first down just a play later.

Detroit's pass rush finally hits home, sacking Purdy for a loss of seven yards. He's hit again in the backfield, this time courtesy of Alim McNeil, and it's third-and-long for the 49ers offense.

Purdy dumps it off to Samuel on third down and the 49ers settle for a field goal.

49ers 27, Lions 24 (9:52 4th)

49ers cash in on fumble, tied up 24-24 with Lions

Drive starts: DET 25 (5:15 3rd)

The Lions immediately cough it up. Gibbs fumbles and the 49ers take over.

Drive starts: DET 24 (5:09 3rd)

Purdy throws a -1-yard pass to Kittle and escapes out of the pocket for a 21-yard scramble and the 49ers are already inside the 5-yard line.

McCaffrey punches it in at the goal line in just a few plays.

Lions 24, 49ers 24 (3:02 3rd)

49ers score, trail the Lions by just one score

Drive starts: DET 25 (11:02 3rd)

LaPorta nabs a quick first down for the Lions with a 16-yard catch off the play action. Montgomery gets a first-down toss on the ensuing play, snagging six yards on the ground. A neutral zone infraction hands Detroit a free first down.

Montgomery gets yet another first-down carry, this time rushing for seven. He gets the first down just a play later, slipping through the defense for five. Goff tries to hit a deep pass to LaPorta on play-action, but it's a bit overthrown for an incompletion.

LaPorta makes up for the previous miss with a 6-yard reception and it's third-and-6. St. Brown gets a carry out of the backfield for a gain of just a couple and it's fourth-and-2. The Lions go for it.

However, Reynolds drops a pass on fourth down and it's a turnover on downs.

Drive starts: SF 28 (6:58 3rd)

Samuel snags a quick 17-yard pass for San Francisco, quickly putting the offense near midfield. Purdy heaves a deep shot on the very next play, completing a 51-pass to Aiyuk to put the offense at Detroit's 4-yard line.

McCaffrey gets the first carry inside the five, but he's slammed in the backfield to lose some yardage. Purdy throws an incompletion on second down and it's third-and-goal. However, he connects with Aiyuk in the endzone to cut Detroit's lead to just one.

Lions 24, 49ers 17 (5:17 3rd)

49ers kick FG to open second half, still trail 24-10

Drive starts: SF 25 (15:00 3rd)

McCaffrey starts off the second half with a 8-yard rush. Samuel nabs a chunk gain on the very next play, coming down with a 26-yard catch down the middle of the field. The star receiver grabs another nine yards on the ensuing play on a screen pass.

Samuel gets another touch, this one a handoff, but gets caught in the backfield for a loss of two yards to force third-and-4. Purdy nearly gets caught in the backfield, but he throws up a late prayer and Jennings comes down with a clutch first-down reception to move the chains along.

After a short-yardage gain and an incompletion, it's third-and-8 for the 49ers offense. He overthrows it on third down and it's fourth-and-8. San Francisco settles for a field goal.

Lions 24, 49ers 10 (11:02 3rd)

Lions head to the locker room with 24-7 lead over 49ers

Drive starts: SF 25 (5:54 2nd)

The 49ers take the field trailing by a few scores. Purdy throws an incompletion on first down and McCaffery rushes for no gain on second, forcing a quick third-and-long. Purdy escapes some pressure and nearly keeps the drive alive with a clutch pass, but Aiyuk can't complete the catch and the 49ers are punting it away.

Drive starts: DET 29 (4:49 2nd)

Montgomery grabs 11 yards on a pair of carries on the first two plays of the drive. He takes a third-straight carry for nine yards and grabs a 6-yard catch for yet anther first down.

Gibbs loses a couple yard and Goff throws in incompletion, bringing the offense to a halt. Facing third-and-long, Gibbs gets a handoff on a draw and rushes along the left for a 13-yard gain.

Goff is sacked for an 8-yard loss and Gibbs takes a handoff for no gain, forcing the Lions into third-and-18. However, Goff and his favorite target come up clutch to keep the drive alive. St. Brown converts with a 23-yard catch and the Lions are inside the 20-yard line.

In the red zone, Gibbs rushes for three yards and Goff throws an incompletion. It's third-and-medium. Again, it's St. Brown with the clutch catch. He tip-toes on the sideline for nine yards and the Lions are at first-and-goal.

Goff throws an incompletion to LaPorta on first down and Gibbs rushes for no gain on second. It's third-and-goal.

Gibbs collects three yards on a screen pass and it's fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line. The Lions settle for a field goal and kicker Michael Badgley nails it.

Lions 24, 49ers 7 (0:07 2nd)

Lions cash in on INT, lead 49ers 21-7

Drive starts: DET 25 (13:39 2nd)

Montgomery slips through a few defenders for a 14-yard rush to open the drive. Goff throws an incompletion to receiver Josh Reynolds on a trick play to open the fresh set of downs. It's another incompletion on second down, this time targeting St. Brown.

However, St. Brown makes up for the missed target with a clutch third-down catch, grabbing 11-yard to keep the chains moving.

Montgomery takes a first-yard carry for no gain and Goff is sacked on second down for a loss of five and it's third-and-long. LaPorta snags nine yards on a dump off, making it fourth-and-6 for Detroit's offense. The Lions elect to punt it away.

Drive starts: SF 12 (10:17 2nd)

McCaffery gets a 5-yard catch on a dump off on the first play of the drive. Samuel nabs a first down on the ensuing play with a 7-yard rush to the left.

Purdy throws a pair of incompletion with the fresh set of downs, under a bit of pressure in the pocket. He gets pressured again on third down and heaves up a prayer. Linebacker Malcom Rodriguez comes up with an interception and Detroit's offense takes over deep in 49ers territory.

Drive starts: SF 46 (8:37 2nd)

Gibbs loses five yards on Detroit's first play following the turnover. LaPorta more than makes up for the negative play on the next snap, taking a checkdown for a 16-yard gain and a first.

After a 3-yard rush from Gibbs, Goff goes back to the air. St. Brown grabs a 15-yard catch and the Lions are already in the red zone.

Gibbs caps off the drive for Detroit. A takes a pitch on the right side of the offense and flashes his speed again, slithering past a handful of defenders for a 15-yard touchdown rush.

Lions 21, 49ers 7 (5:54 2nd)

McCaffrey, 49ers strike back, trail 14-7

Drive starts: SF 25 (2:34 1st)

Purdy notches a couple quick passes to open the drive, tossing a quick 6-yard pass to Samuel and a deep 23-yard shot to Juszcyk to quick put the 49ers in Lions territory.

McCaffrey nabs three-straight carries following the chunk play, collecting a total of 16 yards. McCaffrey gets yet another touch, this time through the air. He takes it up the left for a gain of 28 yards and San Francisco is inside the 5-yard line.

Juszcyk gets three yards on first-and-goal, putting the 49ers just a couple yards from the endzone. McCaffrey punches it in and San Francisco trails by a touchdown.

Lions 14, 49ers 7 (13:39 2nd)

Detroit marches down the field again, lead 14-0

Drive starts: SF 25 (13:18 1st)

San Francisco looks intent on responding to Detroit's opening touchdown. Star running back Christian McCaffrey rushes for just a yard on the first carry of the game, running straight into linebacker Alex Anzalone. Quarterback Brock Purdy tosses an incompletion on second and it's already third-and-9 for the 49ers offense.

However, Purdy keeps the drive alive with a 11-yard completion to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the sideline. Purdy misses Aiyuk on a deep attempt on the very next play, but Deebo Samuel comes up with a 15-yard catch on second to keep the chains moving along.

McCaffrey takes a couple of couples for seven yards in Lions territory, forcing the 49ers into another third-down situation. He gets a third-straight carry and takes it for seven yards.

McCaffrey loses a yard on first down and Purdy throws an incompletion on second, setting up yet another third-down for the 49ers. Purdy dumps it off to McCaffrey for a 5-yard gain and it's fourth-and-6 for the home team. San Francisco settles for a field goal attempt. Kicker Jake Moody misses the attempt wide right and the Lions take over again.

Drive starts: DET 38 (7:54 1st)

LaPorta makes his second reception of the game, coming up with a 6-yard catch. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs notches his first carry of the game on the ensuing play, getting a 7-yard rush to the left to move the chains. He immediately snags a 4-yard pass on the next play.

Yet again, the chains are moving. Goff dumps it off to Montgomery, who gets a 14-yard gain to put the Lions just outside the red zone.

The offense starts to slow, as Goff throws an incompletion and Gibbs rushes for just a yard on second down. However, star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown keeps the drive alive with his first reception of the game. He grabs a screen-pass and slips ahead for 13-yard and Detroit is inside the 20.

Goff throws an incompletion on first down. Gibbs flashes his speed with a 10-yard rush down the right sideline on the next play and the Lions are inside the 10.

Montgomery gets the first carry on the goal line and rumbles to the 1-yard line. He punches it in just a play later and the Lions are up 14-0.

Lions 14, 49ers 0 (2:34 1st)

Williams 42-yard TD rush puts Lions up 7-0

Drive starts: DET 25 (15:00 1st)

Detroit's offense immediately marches down the field. Running back David Montgomery opens the game with a quick 4-yard rush. The bell-cow back gets another carry on second time, this time bursting up a hole in the middle of the defense for a gain of 15.

Quarterback Jared Goff tosses his first pass of the game to open the next set of downs, completing a 14-yard pass to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta off of play-action.

Wide receiver Jameson Williams caps off the drive with a stellar 42-yard touchdown rush, blitzing and ripping through defenders to put his team up early.

Lions 7, 49ers 0 (13:18 1st)

Pregame

The Lions are on the cusp of history this weekend, traveling to the Golden State to take on the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

With a victory, Detroit would secure its first Super Bowl appearance.

The Lions already have a couple of playoff wins under their belt this postseason, knocking out the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round. San Francisco, on the other hand, earned a first-round bye and just survived the upstart Green Bay Packers last weekend.

The NFC Championship game will be Detroit's first road game of the playoffs, though. The Lions are 6-3 on the road this season, with the most notable win coming against the Kansas City Chiefs in week one.

Much like the rest of the teams this weekend, Detroit enters its championship game with some lagging injuries across the lineup. Guard Jonah Jackson is likely out against the 49ers after an injury suffered in last week's win against the Buccaneers, while rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and enter Frank Ragnow are a couple key components nursing injuries.

San Francisco has a key injury of its own, though. Deebo Samuel had an early exit in last weekend's game against Green Bay due to a shoulder injury, but has been cleared to play Sunday.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Alex Faber.

NFC Championship

Lions at 49ers

▶ Kickoff: 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

▶ TV/radio: FOX/97.1

▶ Records: Detroit (12-5), San Francisco (12-5)

▶ Line: 49ers by 7 1/2