Lions vs. 49ers final score, results: San Francisco completes massive second-half comeback to reach Super Bowl 58

Kyle Irving

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Lions vs. 49ers final score, results: San Francisco completes massive second-half comeback to reach Super Bowl 58 image

The 49ers' comeback is complete and they're headed back to the Super Bowl.

San Francisco trailed by as much as 17 points and didn't take its first lead until 10 minutes were remaining in the game. The Lions landed a haymaker on the NFC's No. 1 seed in the first quarter, jumping out to a 14-0 lead before you could blink. Everything was trending in Detroit's favor as it took a 17-point lead into halftime, but that's when the tides turned.

The 49ers rattled off 24 unanswered points in the second half, powered by an incredibly improbable catch from Brandon Aiyuk to set up a touchdown, a forced fumble from San Francisco's defense and a touchdown from Christian McCaffrey.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell had a few controversial calls to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking field goals late in the game, and the 49ers capitalized on those unsuccessful dice rolls to put Detroit away.

Now, San Francisco will join Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs in Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58.

If you missed any of the action from the 49ers' epic comeback over the Lions, The Sporting News had you covered with updates, highlights and more below.

Lions vs. 49ers final score

  1 2 3 4 Final
49ers 0 7 17 10 34
Lions 14 10 0 7 31

Lions vs. 49ers results, highlights from 2024 NFC Championship

(All times Eastern)

Final: 49ers 34, Lions 31

9:45 p.m.: The Lions had a great onside kick bid but George Kittle recovers and the 49ers will win this contest. What a comeback. What a game.

49ers 34, Lions 31

9:43 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — Dan Campbell goes for it on 4th & Goal and Jared Goff finds Jameson Williams in the back of the endzone! The Lions will need to recover an onside kick with 56 seconds remaining and only two timeouts.

9:40 p.m.: Lions TE Anthony Firkser nearly scored but he was pushed out of bounds at the one-yard line. There is 1:16 remaining in the game.

9:39: Jared Goff connects with Josh Reynolds on a 25-yard reception and the Lions are knocking on the red zone door.

9:37 p.m.: Jared Goff found Sam LaPorta on back-to-back plays for a total of 22 yards, taking us to the two-minute warning. The Lions' drive will continue from midfield after the break.

49ers 34, Lions 24

9:31 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — Elijah Mitchell punches it in to give the 49ers a two-score lead with 3:02 to play. San Francisco has scored 27 unanswered points. Chaos in Santa Clara, Calif.

9:30 p.m.: Now it's Christian McCaffrey! The star RB breaks loose for a 25-yard run to bring the 49ers down to the three-yard line.

9:29 p.m.: BROCK PURDY! In a massive spot on 3rd & 4, the 49ers QB scrambled for a gain of 21 yards. He's up to 51 rushing yards on the night.

9:26 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS — The Lions could have attempted a 48-yard field goal to tie the game but Dan Campbell elected to go for it again. It did not work, again.

Jared Goff scrambled out right and couldn't find any open receivers as his pass fell incomplete. The 49ers take over from their own 30 with 7:32 to play.

9:18 p.m.: Jameson Williams made a ridiculous catch to inject some life into the Lions for a 22-yard gain, then David Montgomery followed with a 16-yard run on the next play. Detroit isn't done yet.

49ers 27, Lions 24

9:15 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Jake Moody buries the 33-yarder to give the 49ers their first lead of the game. Brock Purdy was sacked on back-to-back plays to halt San Francisco's momentum.

9:12 p.m.: Brock Purdy is making things happen. He found George Kittle for a 28-yard pitch-and-catch, then followed that with a 10-yard scramble two plays later. The 49ers are in the red zone.

End of third quarter: Lions 24, 49ers 24

9:09 p.m.: Brock Purdy connected with Kyle Juszczyk for a 10-yard gain, then Christian McCaffrey picked up 14 yards on two carries to bring us to the end of the third quarter. The 49ers will continue their drive from their own 38 to start the fourth.

9:01 p.m.: Jared Goff threw two beautiful balls — one to Sam LaPorta and one to Josh Reynolds — and both were dropped. The Lions punt back to the 49ers, who will take over from their own 20 following a touchback. 

Lions 24, 49ers 24

8:56 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! — Christian McCaffrey punches in his second score of the game and we're all tied up! What a turn of events at Levi's Stadium as 49ers fans are rocking.

8:54 p.m.: Brock Purdy keeps the energy rolling, scrambling for a gain of 21 to bring the ball inside the five-yard line!

8:52 p.m.: FUMBLE — 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Jr. stripped Jahmyr Gibbs on a bad handoff exchange with Jared Goff and 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead recovered the loose ball. San Francisco takes over from Detroit's 24.

Lions 24, 49ers 17

8:49 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — Who better than Brandon Aiyuk to cap off the most exhilarating play of the game with a score? Brock Purdy threads the needle to Aiyuk on a six-yard slant and the 49ers are right back in it.

8:45 p.m.: BRANDON AIYUK! The 49ers WR makes one of the most improbable catches you'll ever see. Lions safety Kindle Vindor had a potential interception in his hands and the ball bounced off of his facemask, into the hands of Aiyuk for a 51-yard gain down to the goal line.

8:39 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS — Dan Campbell went for it on 4th & 2 from the 49ers' 28-yard line and Jared Goff's pass to Josh Reynolds fell incomplete.

The Lions' offense continued to chip away at San Francisco's defense but this time, the Niners held strong after an eight-play, 47-yard drive.

Lions 24, 49ers 10

8:31 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Jake Moody drills the 43-yarder to get the 49ers back within two scores. Brock Purdy had a pair of incomplete passes on second and third down to stall the drive.

8:29 p.m.: Jauan Jennings makes an incredible catch on Brock Purdy's desperation throw on 3rd & 4 to keep the 49ers' drive alive!

8:27 p.m.: Here comes Deebo Samuel. Brock Purdy connects with his star WR on the first two plays of the second half for gains of 26 and nine.

8:25 p.m.: The Lions kick off to the 49ers for a touchback and the second half is underway.

Halftime: Lions 24, 49ers 7

8:07 p.m.: FIELD GOAL — Michael Badgley hits the 21-yard chip shot to extend the Lions' lead.

Detroit brought the ball all the way down to the three-yard line but couldn't punch it in. Head coach Dan Campbell is known for rolling the dice in those moments but elected to take the points before the half.

8:00 p.m.: Jared Goff finds Amon-Ra St. Brown for a gain of 23 on 3rd & 18! The Lions are in the red zone with under a minute to go in the half.

7:58 p.m.: Jahmyr Gibbs picked up a clutch first down on 3rd & 12 but two plays later, Nick Bosa broke through to sack Jared Goff. The Lions have the ball on the 49ers' 42-yard line with 1:44 left in the half.

7:54 p.m.: The 49ers' defense can't stop anyone. The Lions' drive begins with David Montgomery gaining 26 yards on four carries.

7:46 p.m.: And the 49ers' offense responds with... a three-and-out. Brock Purdy had two incomplete passes sandwiched around a Christian McCaffrey run for no gain. San Francisco punts the ball back to the Lions, who will take over from their own 29 with 4:59 to play in the half.

Lions 21, 49ers 7

7:42 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — Jahmyr Gibbs takes a toss 15 yards into the end zone! Amon-Ra St. Brown's 17-yard reception brought the Lions into striking distance and Gibbs punched it in to put Detroit back up by two scores.

7:37 p.m.: INTERCEPTION — Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez picks off Brock Purdy! Lions DE Josh Paschal hit Purdy on his followthrough and Purdy's throw sailed into the hands of Rodriguez. C.J. Gardner-Johnson had a 15-yard penalty for an illegal blindside block on the return, backing Detroit to San Francisco's 31.

7:33 p.m.: The broadcast has categorized Dre Greenlaw's injury as a "stinger" and he is expected to return to play.

7:30 p.m.: 49ers star linebacker Dre Greenlaw appeared to have injured his shoulder delivering a hit on Sam LaPorta to keep him short of the first down marker on 3rd & long. San Francisco's offense will take over from its own 12-yard line after the punt, but Greenlaw's status will be one to monitor. 

7:27 p.m.: Facing a big 3rd & 10 near midfield, Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown who bullied his way to a first down for a gain of 11 to keep the Lions drive alive.

Lions 14, 49ers 7

7:20 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — Christian McCaffrey right up the gut for two yards. The 49ers have woken up.

7:19 p.m.: Christian McCaffrey shot out of a cannon on a 28-yard reception! The star RB ran over several Lions tacklers to bring the ball down to Detroit's five-yard line.

End of first quarter: Lions 14, 49ers 0

7:15 p.m.: Brock Purdy scrambles to keep the play alive and finds Kyle Juszczyk for a 23-yard reception to inject some life into the Levi's Stadium crowd after a slow start. The drive will continue from Detroit's 38 at the start of the second quarter.

Lions 14, 49ers 0

7:10 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN — David Montgomery plows through the end zone on a one-yard rush. The Lions have come out and thrown a massive haymaker in the first quarter.

7:05 p.m.: The Lions are going right at this elite 49ers defense. Jared Goff has sprayed the ball out to Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown to march into 49ers territory.

7:00 p.m.: MISSED FIELD GOAL — Jake Moody pushes it right from 48 yards out and the 49ers' first drive comes up scoreless. The Lions will take over from their own 30.

6:53 p.m.: Brock Purdy has the 49ers' offense moving the ball down the field on their first drive, connecting with Brandon Aiyuk for a gain of 11 yards and Deebo Samuel for a gain of 15 yards. San Francisco is in Detroit's territory on its 41-yard line.

Lions 7, 49ers 0

6:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! — The Lions waste no time to break this one open as Jameson Williams takes a reverse 42 yards to the house! Detroit strikes first on the fourth play of the game from scrimmage.

6:40 p.m.: The 49ers won the coin toss and deferred. The Lions will receive to start the game and we are underway!

Pregame

5:00 p.m.: Here are the 49ers' inactives.

5:00 p.m.: Here are the Lions' inactives.

4:30 p.m.: Two hours until kickoff and there is nothing but sunshine at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, Calif. The current temperature is 69 degrees Fahrenheit. It is expected to be a perfect 66 degrees when the NFC Championship gets going.

3:15 p.m.: There is not much history between San Francisco and Detroit in the playoffs during the Super Bowl; the two sides have only met once since 1966. However, the Lions' last road win came against the 49ers back in 1957, which was also the last time the Detroit franchise won an NFL Championship. It hasn't won a road playoff game since. 

2:25 p.m.: As previously reported, Kyle Shanahan said that Deebo Samuel won't have any limitations in the NFC Championship, and the wide receiver confirmed that notion as well. Samuel said that he "ain't protecting nothing" on Sunday, despite operating with an injured shoulder. 

2:00 p.m.: San Francisco should receive another boost. This one could be more symbolic than anything. Injured safety Talanoa Hufanga will set the ceremonial foghorn ablaze ahead of tonight's game.

1:30 p.m.: For those still wondering, 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel will have no limitations as he takes part in Sunday's NFC Championship. Should offer a major boost for Kyle Shanahan's offense.

What channel is Lions vs. 49ers on today?

Lions vs. 49ers will air nationally on Fox. 

Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial. 

Viewers in Canada can watch the game live on DAZN, which is the country's exclusive carrier of NFL Game Pass.

Lions vs. 49ers start time

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 28
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET | 3:30 p.m. PT

The Lions and 49ers will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on  Sunday, Jan. 28. The game will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

NFL playoff schedule 2024

Below is the complete schedule for the 2024 NFL postseason.

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 13

Results Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
Texans 45, Browns 14 4:30 p.m. NBC Peacock, Fubo
Chiefs 26, Dolphins 7 8:15 p.m. Peacock Peacock

Sunday, Jan. 14

Results Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
Packers 48, Cowboys 32 4:30 p.m. Fox FoxSports.com, Fubo
Lions 24, Rams 23 8:15 p.m. NBC Peacock, Fubo

Monday, Jan. 15

Results Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
Bills 31, Steelers 17 1 p.m. CBS Fubo
Buccaneers 32, Eagles 9 8 p.m. ABC, ESPN ESPN+, Fubo

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 20

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
Ravens 34, Texans 10 4:30 p.m. ABC, ESPN ESPN+, Fubo
49ers 24, Packers 21 8 p.m. Fox FoxSports.com, Fubo

Sunday, Jan. 21

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
Lions 31, Buccaneers 23 3 p.m. NBC Peacock, Fubo
Chiefs 27, Bills 24 6:30 p.m. CBS Paramount+, Fubo

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 28

Matchup Time (ET) TV channel Live stream
AFC championship game: Chiefs at Ravens 3 p.m. CBS Paramount+, Fubo
NFC championship game: Lions at 49ers 6:30 p.m. Fox FoxSports.com, Fubo

Super Bowl 58

Sunday, Feb. 11

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Super Bowl 58 6:30 p.m. CBS Paramount+, Fubo

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.