Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2023 Conf. Championship Recap

Game story

In the Conf. Championship of the 2023 NFL season on 2024-01-28, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Goff (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +7.00 total EPA, and -1.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-17.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (5:15) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle to DET 25 for no gain (31-T.Gipson). FUMBLES (31-T.Gipson), RECOVERED by SF-91-A.Armstead at DET 24.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Purdy · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +11.97 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +7.00 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3. 3 A.St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Aiyuk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
6. 6 S. LaPorta · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.16 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Williams · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +3.95 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.95 EPA/play
8. 8 C. McCaffrey · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.42 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Detroit Lions — J. Williams (Q1 58:27)
• Detroit Lions — D. Montgomery (Q1 47:37)
• San Francisco 49ers — C. McCaffrey (Q2 43:52)
• Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs (Q2 36:01)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Aiyuk (B. Purdy pass) (Q3 20:22)
• San Francisco 49ers — C. McCaffrey (Q3 18:04)
• San Francisco 49ers — E. Mitchell (Q4 3:06)
• Detroit Lions — J. Williams (J. Goff pass) (Q4 1:00)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — M. Badgley (Q2 30:10)
• Detroit Lions — J. Fox (Q2 30:07)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Moody (Q3 26:06)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Moody (Q4 9:56)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 42 (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-J.Williams right end for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 58:18) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 47:37) — (2:37) 5-D.Montgomery up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 47:34) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) 23-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 43:49) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 15 (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 35:54) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 3 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) 17-M.Badgley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DET 35 (Q2 30:07).

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 17–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q3 26:06) — (11:06) 4-J.Moody 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q3 20:22) — (5:22) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short left to 11-B.Aiyuk for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 20:17) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 18:04) — (3:04) 23-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 18:02) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–10. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 15 (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) 4-J.Moody 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) 25-E.Mitchell up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 3:02) — 4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 9-J.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 15 (Q4 0:56) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Detroit Lions (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle to DET 25 for no gain (31-T.Gipson). FUMBLES (31-T.Gipson), RECOVERED by SF-91-A.Armstead at DET 24. [WPA -17.2% · EPA -5.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 7:38) — (7:38) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete deep right to 14-A.St. Brown. [WPA -15.7% · EPA -2.98]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-J.Williams right end for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.95]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass deep left to 85-G.Kittle pushed ob at DET 27 for 28 yards (6-I.Melifonwu, 31-K.Joseph). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.32]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 52:58) — (7:58) 4-J.Moody 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. [WPA -8.9% · EPA -3.10]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle to DET 25 for no gain (31-T.Gipson). FUMBLES (31-T.Gipson), RECOVERED by SF-91-A.Armstead at DET 24. [WPA -17.2% · EPA -5.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 9-J.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +4.05]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-J.Williams right end for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.95]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 22:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete short left to 8-J.Reynolds. [WPA -4.4% · EPA -3.59]

Quarterback report card

J.Goff led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Goff (Detroit Lions) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · -1.5% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +7.00 total EPA
• B.Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +11.97 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs +0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +10.35 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, +14.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• San Francisco 49ers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 58:27 · SF 42 · Score 6-0
   (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-J.Williams right end for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 58:18 · SF 15 · Score 7-0
   17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:37 · SF 1 · Score 13-0
   (2:37) 5-D.Montgomery up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 47:34 · SF 15 · Score 14-0
   17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
5. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 43:52 · DET 2 · Score 14-6
   (13:52) 23-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 43:49 · DET 15 · Score 14-7
   4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
7. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 36:01 · SF 15 · Score 20-7
   (6:01) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 35:54 · SF 15 · Score 21-7
   17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
9. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:10 · SF 3 · Score 24-7
   (:10) 17-M.Badgley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · DET 35 · Score 24-7
    3-J.Fox kicks 69 yards from DET 35 to SF -4. 3-R.McCloud to SF 31 for 35 yards (6-I.Melifonwu). PENALTY on SF-30-G.Odum, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced a
11. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 26:06 · DET 25 · Score 24-10
    (11:06) 4-J.Moody 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 20:22 · DET 6 · Score 24-16
    (5:22) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short left to 11-B.Aiyuk for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 20:17 · DET 15 · Score 24-17
    4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
14. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 18:04 · DET 1 · Score 24-23
    (3:04) 23-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 18:02 · DET 15 · Score 24-24
    4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
16. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 9:56 · DET 15 · Score 24-27
    (9:56) 4-J.Moody 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
17. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 3:06 · DET 3 · Score 24-33
    (3:06) 25-E.Mitchell up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 3:02 · DET 15 · Score 24-34
    4-J.Moody extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
19. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 1:00 · SF 3 · Score 30-34
    (1:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 9-J.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Detroit Lions TD (+7) — Q4 0:56 · SF 15 · Score 31-34
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.