The San Francisco 49ers played closer to their D+ game than B+ game, at least during the first half of the NFC Championship against the Detroit Lions. Detroit converted 50 percent of their third downs, averaged over six yards per play, and had 442 yards of offense.
Total yards is a lazy way to judge a defense’s performance. Offenses are too good to keep in check in today’s NFL. The 49ers went up against the best non-Shanahan tree offensive mind in the sport. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson put on a clinic. There’s a reason he’s been one of the leading head coaching candidates these past two hiring cycles.