The San Francisco 49ers open the 2021 regular season with a road trip to play the Detroit Lions. San Francisco's overall record versus Detroit is 38-28-1, with the Niners winning 10 out of the last 11 matchups between the two teams.
The 49ers are visiting the Lions for the first time since 2015. San Francisco has won two of its three games at Ford Field. This also marks the fifth time Detroit and San Francisco face off in the opening game of the regular season, with the teams splitting the four matchups.
The 49ers finished the preseason with a 2-1 record and their offense averaged 188.3 rushing yards per game, which led the NFL. The Niners defense held opponents to 210.7 net yards per game which ranked second in the NFL during exhibition play. The unit also finished tied for the most sacks in the preseason with 12.
Here is everything you need to know to follow the upcoming game.
When does the game start?
Sunday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. PT
Where is the game being played?
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
Who are the coaches?
The 49ers' head coach is Kyle Shanahan. The Lions' head coach is Dan Campbell.
What channel is the game on?
Network: FOX
Play-by-Play: Kevin Kugler
Color Analyst: Mark Sanchez
Sideline Reporter: Laura Okmin
NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers can find the game on channel 711.
What areas will receive the broadcast?
For those without NFL Sunday Ticket, the broadcast will be viewable within the markets designated below.
Coverage map courtesy of 506sports.com
Where can I stream the game?
NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers can stream the game using the service's official mobile app. NFL Game Pass subscribers can stream the game in its entirety once the matchup has been completed.
Bay Area fans can stream the game through the official 49ers app or at 49ers.com.
Where can I listen to the radio broadcast?
Bay Area fans can listen on KGO 810 AM and KSAN 107.7 FM The Bone, where Greg Papa and Tim Ryan will call the game.
Jesús Zárate and Carlos Yustis will call the game in Spanish. That broadcast can be listened to at 49ers.com/news/Espanol.
Detroit area fans can listen on 97.1 FM The Ticket, where Dan Miller and Lomas Brown will call the game.
NFL Game Pass subscribers will be able to listen to the game through that service.
Live updates
There will be a game-day article here at 49ers Webzone providing live updates starting during pre-game action.
Game discussion
Fans can discuss the game within our Niner Talk forum.
How has this series played out historically?
Matchups: 67
Series Record: 49ers lead series 38-28-1
49ers Home Record vs. Lions: 49ers lead series 24-10-1
49ers Away Record vs. Lions: Lions lead series 18-14
First Meeting: 10/8/50, Lions win 24-7, at Det.
Last Meeting: 9/16/18, 49ers win 30-27, at SF
Current Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 9 (12/23/96 – 9/16/12)
Longest Lions Win Streak: 6 (9/23/62 – 12/13/64)
Most 49ers Points: 55 (12/19/93): 49ers win 55-17, at Det. (p)
Most Lions Points: 48 (11/14/54): Lions win 48-7, at Det.
49ers Shutouts: 2 (Last 10/1/61): 49ers win 49-0, at Det.
Lions Shutouts: 1 (11/6/60): Lions win 24-0, at SF
