Two possessions, two touchdowns for Detroit
David Montgomery plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out as the Lions jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the stunned 49ers.
The Lions are leading in first downs (8-3) and total yards (137-45).
Nothing fancy from Detroit so far. The running game and short passes are geting it done.
Lions get in first punch; 49ers fail to answer
Jake Moody missed from 48 yards out after the 49ers picked up three first downs.
The Niners faced fourth-and-6 from the Detroit 30, and coach Kyle Shanahan opted from the field goal.
He had made four of six tries from 40 to 49 yards in the regular season.
Moody made 84% of his kicks in the regular season, but was surprisingly iffy on kicks 40+ yards (6 of 9), and had one blocked last week from a similar distance.
The father of 49ers kicker Jake Moody, predicted this would happen: His son's team playing against his beloved Lions in a high-stakes game.
But despite being longtime Lions fans, Moody's parents plan to root for their son in today's NFC championship game. Rod Meloni of NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit reports.
Detroit playing in only its second NFC championship game
With a shot at the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance on the line, the Detroit Lions will be playing only their second NFC championship game.
The last time the Lions went on this deep of a run was in 1991 when they lost 41-10 against Washington.
There's a lot of focus on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who had a tough game last week against the Packers.
A big third-down throw to Brandon Aiyuk from Purdy gives the Niners a first down, though Aiyuk had to make a good play to stop an interception on the next play.
Rushing will be the name of the game in NFC title game
With no delay, the Lions scored first, a Jameson Williams 42-yard touchdown run that included broken tackles and a powerful finish. That rush-heavy attack from the Lions on their opening drive is in keeping with what we might expect throughout the game from both offenses.
The Lions and the 49ers were both among the top five teams in the league in 2023 for rushing yards and feature some of the league's most fearsome rushers, including 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, the league's leading rusher, and Detriot's David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, two of the top 20 rushers this year.
Lions draw first blood
With a little trickery, Jameson Williams sprinted 42 yards on a wide receiver reverse to pay dirt, giving Detroit a 7-0 lead.
If last game is any lesson, the Lions won't score again til the 4th quarter.
One team is headed to Las Vegas; the next will be known soon
The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl opponent will be known in about three hours.
The Detroit Lions-San Francisco 49ers game has kicked off from Santa Clara, Calif.
As soon as the Lions hit the field, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff will get the chance to add his name to a short but notable list: QBs to lead two different franchises to Super Bowls.
Goff's work to bring the Lions to their first title game since 1992 could help him add his name to a list that includes Tom Brady (Buccaneers and Patriots), Kurt Warner (Cardinals and Rams), Peyton Manning (Broncos and Colts) and Craig Morton (Cowboys and Giants).
Goff presided over the Los Angeles Rams' 2018 season, one that ultimately led to a Super Bowl appearance but fell short of a title — the Rams lost to the New England Patriots and another (future) member of that list, Brady, 13-3.