The Detroit Lions, who are facing off against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, are the only team left competing for the Super Bowl that does not have a top-three scoring defense.
The Baltimore Ravens rank first overall in scoring defense by allowing just 16.5 points per game. They allowed just 10 points in their only playoff matchup against the Houston Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs have the second-ranked scoring defense as they are allowing just 17.3 points per game. Through two playoff games against the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs have allowed 15.5 points per game.
The San Francisco 49ers have the third-ranked defense in the NFL. They allow just 0.2 more points per game than the Chiefs. They allowed the seventh-seed Green Bay Packers to put up 21 points on them in the only playoff game they played.
The Detroit Lions rank 23rd in scoring defense
The Detroit Lions are near the bottom of the NFL with the 23rd-ranked scoring defense. They allow 23.2 points per game. They have allowed an average of 23 points in the two playoff games they have played thus far.
The Lions allow 336.1 yards per game which makes them 19th in overall defense. They have allowed 416.5 yards per game in the playoffs. The only playoff teams to allow more yards per game in the playoffs, the Packers and the Cowboys, have been eliminated.
One bright spot on the Lions defense is their rush defense. They have the second-best rush defense in the entire league as they have allowed just 88.8 yards per game on the ground this season. Their rush defense has stepped up in the playoff, allowing just 78.5 yards per playoff game.
One big reason for their strong rush defense is interior defensive lineman Alim McNeill. His ability to take on double teams and fight through run blocks allows for other defense playmakers in the front seven, like edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, to make plays on the edge.
Happy Thanksgiving, babies
I hope u rip though that turkey and pumpkin pie like Alim McNeil through this double team pic.twitter.com/Cmjwix6cRz
— and I never slice. (@bushwood_c) November 24, 2022
Impressive block recognition from DET iDL (2nd year Jashon Cornell + rookie Alim McNeil)
“Wham-bam” (wham + trap) is a tough play to defend. Great rep from DET. pic.twitter.com/o9huQz2KAT
— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) August 16, 2021
The Lions run D has been dialed in this year. Constantly getting their hands on opposing RBs in the backfield.
Two of my fave plays from Alim McNeil Sunday vs the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/7LZgM7PNpM
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) September 26, 2023
Hutchinson has been playing a much improved version of defense throughout the home stretch. Hutchinson recorded eight sacks in the last four games, but his impact is felt beyond the pass rush.
Should probably have a guy blocking Aidan Hutchinson pic.twitter.com/zJHgarYc3Z
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 21, 2024
This play (against the Bucs!) showcases Aidan Hutchinson’s speed, motor, strength, and athleticism.
RARE TALENT #AllGrit pic.twitter.com/PlTRARwQP4
— Gage O’Leary Sports (@Gage_Sports_54) January 20, 2024
Aidan Hutchinson is such a stud for the Lions. They’re outnumbered and there has to be a miscommunication on this. At the same time, looks like Hutch was dropping into coverage and potentially knew this screen was coming. Just a terrific play by him. #AllGrit pic.twitter.com/MxfqQkWUXr
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) January 23, 2024
The Detroit Lions will be going up against one of the most productive offense in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers ranked second in total offense this season with 398.4 yards per game. They were just under three yards behind the leading offense, the Miami Dolphins.
The 49ers score the third most points per game with 28.9. The Lions have one of the best rushing defenses in the leagues, so the 49ers will be forced to air it out with quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy and the 49ers have the fourth-best passing offense in the league as they average 257.9 points per game. Purdy, who was mr. irrelevant and the last pick of his draft, said he plays with a chip on his shoulder in an article from ESPN.
“That’s sort of been the theme of my life in a sense,” he said. “I was drafted last … and here’s that mindset again. And I feel like this time, I haven’t let it go and I don’t want to lose it.”
The 49ers had one of the only running backs to even sniff the MVP conversations in Christian McCaffrey. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield will be the difference in this game as the strong Lions run defense has the tools hold the 1,500 yard rusher in check.
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