25 January 2024
(KRON) – Kyle Shanahan and the NFC Championship game are two things that seem to go together.
In his seven seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the team has made the conference title game in four — including this season after winning the divisional round last Saturday.
Under Shanahan, the 49ers have made the NFC Championship 57% of the time. For reference, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has a career field goal percentage of 47.4%. Technically, that means there’s a better chance the Shanahan-led 49ers makes the NFL’s final four than Curry making any single shot in an NBA game.
Shanahan, however, has not fared particularly well in the NFC Championship, losing more than he’s won (1-2 record with two road losses). He looks to turn that trend around on Sunday when the 49ers host the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium for a spot in next month’s Super Bowl LVIII.
49ers in NFC Championship during Shanahan era (2017-present):
2019: Packers at 49ers (W)
This was remembered as the Raheem Mostert game, with the 49ers running back putting up monster numbers to propel San Francisco to a 37-20 win over Green Bay at Levi’s Stadium. Mostert ran for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 carries.
The 49ers forced Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to throw two interceptions and fumble three times, resulting in one turnover. Two weeks later, San Francisco would go on to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
2021: 49ers at Rams (L)
It was a thrilling matchup between the NFC West rivals who met 21 days earlier in the same stadium. Los Angeles scored 13 unanswered points in the final period to beat San Francisco 20-17.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw an interception on the final drive with under a minute left to seal the game. The Rams would go on to win Super Bowl LVI.
2022: 49ers at Eagles (L)
There wasn’t much the 49ers could do after every quarterback on their roster got hurt. Starter Brock Purdy was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with an elbow injury that required offseason surgery. Backup and fourth-string quarterback Josh Johnson suffered a concussion early in the second half, forcing a limited Purdy back into the game.
San Francisco lost 31-7 to the Eagles in Philadelphia, allowing the Eagles to advance and later lose to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the 49ers are -7 favorites to beat the Lions, according to FanDuel. San Francisco star receiver Deebo Samuel’s status is unknown as he is nursing an injured shoulder.