It's going to be a bright, warm sunny day out at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara Sunday afternoon as the San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions for the NFC Championship.With a 49er win, a trip to the Super Bowl LVIII is the next stop. Niners are favored by oddsmakers as seven-point favorites. Let's see what the 49ers need to do to punch that Super Bowl ticket. On Offense: Protect QB Brock Purdy. The 49ers offensive line will be tested again against a strong Lions defensive line. It is imperative they protect Purdy, to allow him to get his downfield reads and make clean passes to his receiving corps. Let CMC (and other RB's) run amok: Detroit's D-line is also very good at plugging the gaps and reducing an opponents run game. CMC aka Christian McCaffrey is considered the best running back in the NFL. Blocking will be crucial to allow CMC to find those gaps, or end-arounds, and then CMC's legs get to do the rest. Receivers take advantage of the Detroit secondary: Detroit is one of the worst teams in defending against the YAC (Yards After Catch). Once Purdy gets the ball to Aiyuk, Deebo (he's back!), Kittle, Jennings (great game last week filling in for Deebo) et al, Niners receivers can do what they are so good at, catch, and run run run! Captain Obvious point: Protect the football! No turnovers!
On Defense: Stop the Lions run game. Detroit has a bull and a cheetah as their running back options, and have been a big part of their post-season success. Our vaulted defensive line needs to step up and push back hard so San Francisco can minimize the damage on the run game.
Harass Lions QB Jared Goff: Do not give Goff too much time in the pocket to throw those long strikes he is known for, D-line. Bosa and company need to step it up and put the pressure on, as Goff has been known to make bad passes that lead to interceptions.
Secondary needs to play tight, but smart coverage downfield: Detroit has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Amon-Ra St. Brown. He has burned teams all season. Also avoid pass interference penalties!
Time of Possession: DO NOT let Detroit control the clock! Niners defense needs to convert more three-and-outs, and not give up long sustained drives to the Lions. Special Teams: To the kickers, just do your job! To the kick-off coverage unit, no long kick-off or punt returns. Inside key to the game, the more Detroit has to punt the ball away, the more that favors Coach Kyle Shanahan's 49ers! In short , Go Niners, let's win this one!
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