Lions quickly punch 49ers in mouth, score TD on opening drive

It didn't take long for the Lions to smack the 49ers hard in the NFC Championship game, scoring on a 42-yard end-around touchdown on the opening drive.

Well, that escalated quickly.

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves trailing 7-0 after the very first series in the NFC Championship game against the visiting Detroit Lions, who were going to use their stout running game to upend head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad if they wanted to advance to the Super Bowl against the AFC-winning Kansas City Chiefs.

Why? Well, a combination of not making tackles and being too vulnerable versus Detroit's run game might be reasons to blame.

Oh, and some Lions speed, too.

Lions score 1st in NFC Championship game, a 42-yard touchdown by Jameson Williams

Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs figured to be Detroit's top X-factors on the ground, and Montgomery got the first two Lions carries after the Niners deferred to open up the game.

However, Detroit found paydirt when wide receiver Jameson Williams took an end-around handoff 42 yards for an opening touchdown:

Related story: 49ers NFC Championship vs. Lions: Betting odds, weather, injuries and how to watch

Missed tackles? Yes. San Francisco would like to have at least one of those back.

If there's good news, the Lions took only four plays to score on the drive that lasted 1:42, meaning the 49ers have plenty of time to respond and hopefully wear down Detroit's own defense.

That said, it's not the best start for the Niners.

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