Jameson Williams outruns 49ers defense on end around, gives Lions early lead in NFC Championship
When the Detroit Lions traded up in the 2022 NFL draft to take Jameson Williams out of Alabama with the No. 12 overall pick, it was probably with moments like Sunday’s opening score in the NFC Championship in mind. And with a burst of speed, Williams had Detroit leading San Francisco on the road within minutes.
After a few runs by David Montgomery and a leak out pass to Sam LaPorta moved the Lions past midfield, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson called in a fake handoff end around for Williams. As the speedy second-year receiver rounded the corner, he cut back inside a blocker and burst through the middle.
But with first down yardage gained, Williams powered ahead and pulled away from linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s grasp for the opening touchdown on a 42-yard yun.
And after Williams outran the San Francisco defense on the way to the end zone, he hit a dance popularized during his childhood and the heights of the bygone video app, Vine. Specifically, Williams hit the dance that Terrio did in an iconic internet video.
49ers fans gave one fan a major assist in getting to the tailgate
The San Francisco 49ers are one win away from a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The proximity to the big game has fans in the Bay Area itching with excitement. On Sunday, a couple of fans pulling up to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara suffered a dead battery in their car, but they wouldn’t let it deter them.
The 49ers fans did the only logical thing to do: They pushed the vehicle all the way to the tailgate lot. What happens when they need to leave the stadium after the game is a care for another day.
San Francisco kicked off against the Detroit Lions at 6:30 p.m. ET. For the Lions, a win would be historic. Detroit hasn’t won a road playoff game since the 1957 season. The home team has the edge in the Sunday night matchup. According to the Las Vegas oddsmakers, the 49ers are 7.5-point favorites.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.