NFC Championship: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers odds, picks and predictions

Jess Root | Staff Writer

The Detroit Lions (14-5) face the San Francisco 49ers (13-5) in the NFC Championship Game to decide who will play in the Super Bowl. They kick off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Levi's Stadium (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Lions vs. 49ers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Lions took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home Sunday 31-23, covering the 6.5-point spread as favorites. After not winning a playoff game in more than 30 years, they have won 2 in a row. They have won 3 straight and 7 of their last 8 overall.

The 49ers rallied from a 21-14 deficit entering the 4th quarter to beat the Green Bay Packers 24-21 at home Saturday. They were favored by 10.5 points.

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Lions at 49ers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lions +275 (bet $100 to win $275) | 49ers -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Lions +7 (+100) | 49ers -7 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 52 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lions at 49ers key injuries

Lions

OL Jonah Jackson (knee) out
CB Chase Lucas (illness) questionable
WR Kalif Raymond (knee) out

49ers

LB Oren Burks (ankle) questionable
DT Kalia Davis (ankle) questionable

Lions at 49ers picks and predictions

Prediction

49ers 24, Lions 20

Moneyline

This game is more evenly matched than many believe. The Lions are 6-3 on the road this season, and including their win in the divisional round, the 49ers are 6-3 at home.

The Lions were No. 2 in rush defense in the regular season, allowing 88.8 yards per game. The 49ers were No. 3 in rushing offense, averaging 140.5 yards per game, led by RB Christian McCaffrey, who led the NFL in rushing.

It will be strength on strength in that sense.

The Lions have forced turnovers in 5 of their last 6 games and in 4 of those games they forced multiple turnovers.

49ers QB Brock Purdy and Lions QB Jared Goff had similar seasons. Purdy had 31 touchdown passes and 11 picks. Goff had 30 and 12.

In the end, the Niners should have a slight edge, but between the -350 odds and the possibility of an upset, I don't like this bet.

I don't see a Lions outright win, and I don't like the price for the 49ers on the moneyline.

PASS.

Against the spread

The Niners only won by 3 points last week. However, all 12 of their regular-season wins were by at least 7 points. They were, though, only 9-9 ATS this season.

The Lions are 13-6 ATS overall and have covered the spread in 5 of their last 6 games.

Their run defense being able to slow San Francisco's rushing attack will keep this game close.

BET LIONS +7 (+100).

Over/Under

Both teams were top 5 in the NFL in scoring. However, the Niners allowed 21 or fewer points 13 times this season.

The Lions have not allowed more than 24 points in their last 6 games.

BET UNDER 52 (-110).

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