NFC Championship Prop Bets: 3 Wagers for Lions vs. 49ers

Sunday evening’s NFC Championship game between Detroit and San Francisco doesn’t suffer from a lack of storylines. For the first time since the New Orleans Saints in 2010, we could see a first-time Super Bowl entrant if the Lions were to win. For the 49ers, the team is looking to avenge a one-sided NFC title game last year that was marred by an early injury to quarterback Brock Purdy. The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is looking to reach the Super Bowl in his first full season as a starter.

We’ve previewed the game itself along with giving our best bets, but now, let’s look at some key NFC Championship prop bets that you can make in advance of Lions vs. 49ers.

Despite having Purdy — who has lost just three times in games where he’s played the full contest — the 49ers’ star is Christian McCaffrey. Sure, the Detroit Lions had the second-best run defense in the regular season, allowing just 88 yards per game. But teams lean on their best players in championship games, so McCaffrey will get his carries — which will equal yards.

McCaffrey scored twice and amassed 98 yards against Green Bay last week. It’s just the latest in what is becoming a consistently great playoff performer.

Since the Niners endured a three-game stretch where no one played particularly well in an 0-3 run, McCaffrey has been his usual reliable self. In those nine games, he’s rushed for over 90 yards seven times. They other two were 78 against Tampa Bay and 64 against Washington, but he left that game early with a calf strain.

The Buccaneers had the fifth-best rush defense, so there is a chance the Lions could shut him down. But we expect CMC to get to the yardage number by the sheer amount of carries he’ll get.

The Play: Christian McCaffrey OVER 86.5 rushing yards (-115 at BetRivers)

The Lions have a two-pronged rushing attack, featuring the steady David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery ran for 1,015 yards this season on 219 carries. Gibbs’ total was 945 on just 182 carries. That means Gibbs has had more big-play potential this season. And you don’t have to go back too far to see what he has the potential to do.

This play last week against Tampa Bay broke a 17-17 tie, and Detroit led the rest of the way. The Niners’ rush defense is just as good as Detroit’s (89 yards allowed per game), but all it takes is one play for Gibbs to change the complexion of a drive or even the game.

The youngster from Alabama has had a longest run of over 15 yards in 10 of his last 13 games. That includes against the Chicago Bears, who were the league’s best team against the rush.

The Play: Jahmyr Gibbs longest run OVER 14.5 yards (-115 at Hard Rock Bet)

See Sidelines’ best bets for this Sunday’s AFC Championship and NFC Championship

Deebo Samuel gets the headlines, but Brandon Aiyuk is the 49ers’ best wide receiver. Aiyuk had 1,342 yards on the season. He topped the 100-yard mark in seven of 15 regular-season games. Three came in the final four weeks of the regular season. He was held to just 32 yards against Green Bay last week, but the Lions’ secondary has been giving up big yardage to teams’ top wideouts as of late.

Here are the top wide-receiver outputs against the Lions in their last four games:

Aiyuk is set to be the latest beneficiary of this soft Detroit secondary. Tight end George Kittle will be in play, but if Samuel is either sitting or limited in production, Aiyuk will be the top target for big chunks of yards. There’s a heavy vig on this one, but a win is a win.

The Play: Brandon Aiyuk OVER 80.5 receiving yards (-125 on DraftKings)