Breech picks the Lions 27 49ers 24
A team of destiny
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One of his counterparts goes the other way:
49ers 27 Lions 23
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Thx for the articles!
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Prisco picking against the Lions again, but believes they will cover the spread;
Detroit Lions (+7) at San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo)
The Lions come into this game facing a steep challenge against the NFC’s best team. But the Lions have the offense to keep up with the 49ers, who should have success against the Lions defense.
I think the key to beating the 49ers is to block them up front and take shots at a so-so secondary. That’s what the Packers did last week, which is what the Lions will do in this one.
They have to stay out of third-and-long situations, which means throwing on early downs, which coordinator Ben Johnson loves to do. I think they will look to take advantage of a strength.
The problem is the Lions have issues on defense, especially at corner. While Brock Purdy didn’t play that great last week, he is capable of getting hot and lighting up this Lions secondary. With Christian McCaffrey good as both a runner and receiver, the Lions have to key on him. That will open up the passing game for Purdy down the field. I think Brandon Aiyuk will have a big game.
This has all the makings of a shootout in my mind. I think Jared Goff will play well for the Lions, but in the end it will be the 49ers heading to the Super Bowl. It just won’t be easy.
Pick: 49ers 34, Lions 31
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
LIONS (14-5) at 49ERS (13-5)
Line: SF by 7.
Cote’s pick: DET, 34-31.
TV: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox.
Upset! And a big one. Outside of giddy Motowners euphoric over the Lions’ most playoff success since 1991, I don’t have much company in predicting a Detroit win over top-seed San Fran – an outcome that would stun the NFL. I can’t pretend to lean on irrefutable logic. Niners should be a big favorite. All I can lean on is a strong hunch and a gut feeling that logic couldn’t make go away. San Francisco has been less than dominant at home this season (5-3) and is on an 0-6 skid at home against the spread. That included last week’s fortunate and narrow Divisional escape against Green Bay, which let an upset slip in the last minutes. Also, the 49ers may be without WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder), who could be a game-time call, and whose absence would be a major blow. The team is 8-9 including 0-2 this season when Samuel does not play. San Fran also is is 2-5 in NFC title games since its last Super Bowl win three decades ago. There is little doubt Detroit’s offense can hang with the Niners in a shootout; Jared Goff has rebranded his reputation and has the weapons. The questions is the Lions’ defense. We know San Fran’s is really good. The onus is majorly on Detroit’s D. The Lions though led the NFL with 176 QB pressures and I believe will pester Brock Purdy, while Goff is facing a 49ers secondary that is not a strength. I also like the Lions signing veteran TE Zach Ertz, with Pro Bowl rookie Sam La Porta not expected to play. The first quarter figures as telling. Detroit is 9-0 when leading after the first; San Fran is 0-4 when trailing after one. Some of my upset hunch is intangible – just the feeling Detroit is for real and, that, despite some injuries, Dan Campbell has this team believing. That matters.
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