Lions vs. 49ers: Final Odds, Spread Picks for NFC Championship Game 2024

Lions vs. 49ers: Final Odds, Spread Picks for NFC Championship Game 20240 of 3

Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers will clash Sunday in the NFC Championship, with a berth in Super Bowl LVIII on the line.

Detroit enters the game the perennial underdog, a team for whom a division championship had not been seen in 30 years and a Super Bowl berth has yet to occur.

San Francisco entered the season with high expectations and Lombardi Trophy dreams and after narrowly escaping the Green Bay Packers a week ago, are one win away from their final destination.

Ahead of the game, find out who oddsmakers currently favor and whether or not to take the points in the pre-game spread with this preview of what is sure to be a physical battle for NFC supremacy.

Spread Pick3 of 3

Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers enter Sunday’s NFC Championship Game as seven-point favorites over the Detroit Lions.

That may seem like a lot given how good the Lions have looked through their first two playoff games, not to mention their ability to score with just about any team in the league, but it is not if you take into consideration their weakness (pass defense) and the plethora of weapons the NFC West champs have at their disposal.

Brandon Aiyuk led the Niners in targets in 2023 with 105 and may be the best wide receiver on the team. Deebo Samuel will play Sunday after suffering an injury in last Saturday’s divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers, and his explosiveness in the pass and run games makes him a duel threat.

Then there is All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is big and physical, but is deceptively fast and can take a six-yard in route for 30 yards and a score.

There have been plenty of questions surrounding second-year quarterback Brock Purdy and his ability to lead the 49ers to a Lombardi Trophy but he is an MVP candidate this season and has thrown multiple touchdowns in half of his games.

If San Francisco’s offensive line can protect him from Aaron Glenn’s defensive pressures, and give him just enough time to get the ball out of his hands without forcing a play, Purdy will have the opportunity to hurl multiple touchdowns, as Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield did in the previous two games.

The Lions’ pass defense is unarguably the worst unit on the field in either of the two championship games and, as gutsy and inspirational as Detroit’s story has been to this point, that back half will likely prove the difference.

A crucial turnover by Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who still struggles against pressure, could seal the deal and ensure the spread is met or surpassed.

Prediction: 49ers cover the spread

Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.