The Detroit Lions are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship, with a significant historical backdrop to the game. The Lions have not won a road playoff game in 66 years, with their last victory coming against the 49ers in 1957 at Kezar Stadium. This win had propelled them to the NFL Championship, which they won, marking their last title. The team has since suffered 11 consecutive road playoff losses, the longest road skid in NFL playoff history. In a nod to their storied past, the Lions have named Barry Sanders, their legendary running back, as an honorary captain for the game. Sanders was the Lions' running back the last time they played in an NFC Championship 32 years ago. Before the game, Sanders was seen greeting fans and catching up with 49ers' John Lynch, highlighting the presence of NFL legends at the event. The game is being held 37 miles from the site of their last road playoff win, and fans are eager to see if the Lions can break their long-standing streak.
So many legends 🔥 @JoeMontana, @JerryRice, @BIRDMAN5STAR, and @JalenRose on the sideline before the NFC Championship. @49ers https://t.co/AoHylDHjBJ
Barry Sanders 🤝 John Lynch. (🎥: @NBCS49ers) https://t.co/XWBNWbcZAY
Barry Sanders is here cheering on the @Lions 🦁 📺: 6p ET on FOX https://t.co/7jOwTTKE0m
Barry Sanders was the Lions running back last time they played in an NFC Championship. 32 years later, he made the trip to San Francisco to see Detroit play for a spot in the Super Bowl 💯 https://t.co/Yo8r4EHlgG
John Lynch 🤝 Barry Sanders Two NFL legends catching up before the NFC Championship game! (via @NBCS49ers) https://t.co/RnkLuZJwwn
John Lynch 🤝 Barry Sanders Two NFL legends catching up before the NFC Championship game! (via @49ersNBCS) https://t.co/RnkLuZJwwn
John Lynch catching up with Barry Sanders 🤝 https://t.co/t4nl915I2d
Former Detroit Lions legendary RB Barry Sanders greeting fans before the NFC Championship here at Levi’s Stadium. https://t.co/CnmkF8I3re
Detroit’s last road playoff win came 66 years ago vs. the 49ers 👀 https://t.co/N9yYLdI1YR
The last time the Lions won a road playoff game? In San Francisco 66 years ago. 👀 https://t.co/Z90WKSCE2l
Lions have not won a road playoff game in 66 years and have gone 0-11 in road postseason games since then. But the last time they won on the road in the postseason was in San Francisco, where Detroit advanced to the 1957 NFL Championship Game and won its last NFL championship. https://t.co/MmLiEzK6e7
Lions have lost 11 straight road playoff games for the longest road skid in NFL playoff history. Their last road playoff win came in 1957 at Kezar Stadium against the #49ers. They will try to snap that streak today
Site of the Detroit Lions’ last road playoff win, 66 years ago. The Lions beat the 49ers that day to advance to the NFL championship game, where they won their last title a week later. They play the 49ers 37 miles from here tomorrow for the right to go to the Super Bowl. https://t.co/hGC5AqmDdL
The Lions have officially named Barry Sanders an honorary captain for the NFC championship against the 49ers https://t.co/2Aj3gG7838
The Detroit Lions haven’t won a road playoff game in 66 ‼️ years The opponent? The 49ers 👀 (📸 via @ProFootballHOF) https://t.co/cUr2KvksAA