CJ Gardner-Johnson blindsides Deebo Samuel, takes feud to another level

During an play in the NFC Championship, Lions safety CJ Gardner-Johnson took the opportunity to hit 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel from behind, in the latest incident between two guys that plain don't like each other.

The San Francisco 49ers are in strife in this first half, currently down 24-7 to the Detroit Lions at the half as the much vaunted 49ers defense has gone completely missing and the offense simply cannot keep up.

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One of the plays that's cost the 49ers is a bad interception throw by quarterback Brock Purdy, who floated a pass needlessly while getting hit.

Instead of taking the sack and letting the 49ers punt it away, the pass resulted in it being easily picked off and turning a 14-7 game into a 21-7 contest where the Lions have begun to threaten to put it away early.

During the return, Lions safety CJ Gardner-Johnson decided to settle an old score.

He and 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel simply do not like one another, and he took the opportunity to give Deebo a blindside hit.

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Gardner-Johnson ended up having his cake and eating it, too, as the Lions quickly marched down the field on the back of its running game which the 49ers have been unable to stop. They once again put the game at two scores, and haven't looked close to shutting down.

While Niners fans have reason to be aggrieved by such a dirty hit, the truth is they will be feeling much more aggrieved if the 49ers can't find a way in the second half to get back into the game.

Another NFC Championship loss would taste very bitter given their excellent season, but it's looking very sketchy at this point.