The Detroit Lions want to pull off an upset against the San Francisco 49ers. NFL Mocks also looks at the rest of the NFC North, including buzz and mock draft speculation surrounding the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings.
Can the Detroit Lions do the impossible and upset the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game? If they do, it might be on Jared Goff’s shoulders. We also take a look at what’s happening in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings.
Let’s start with the NFC Championship Game, where the Lions are hoping to pull off a road upset over the great 49ers. If they are to do so, the defense must ball out, and Goff must remain patient and demonstrate the competitive edge that Lions head coach Dan Campbell has regarded as a benefit to his quarterback since teaching him.
“I found out how competitive he was the first spring we had him out here in the seven-on-seven when it was raining, against our defense,” Campbell said Friday, according to the team’s website. “And that’s when I thought, ‘Wow, okay. That’s fantastic to see.
“And just watching him throw the football and make tight window throws, it was intense. And he was not going to lose that day, and he just kept improving, and his confidence was at an all-time high. So, while it may not always be obvious, believe me when I say that he is fiercely competitive. And you can’t play like he does unless you’re competitive.
Lions at. 49ers: Jared Goff faces a test against the 49ers defense.
Goff demonstrated his competitive edge in the Divisional stage by leading the Lions on three straight touchdown drives against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the 49ers defense, with Nick Bosa and Chase Young coming off the edge and dominant linebackers like Fred Warner looking to disrupt things, proved to be too much.
Despite Goff’s playoff experience and Super Bowl appearance, he will face a hostile environment on Sunday against a club eager to scare him. Goff and the Lions offense will need to establish a rhythm early on in order to gain confidence. It will also be critical that the squad does not fall behind quickly.
Goff is at his best when he does not have to drop back and pass constantly. This would also allow the 49ers defense to tee off on the seasoned quarterback, limiting the Lions’ chances in this game.
