With the NFL season slated to get underway this week and every team starting with a clean slate, there may actually be a sense of optimism in and around Ford Field when the Lions open their season.
Detroit acquired two-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Jared Goff from the Rams in exchange for Matthew Stafford and some draft picks in what was one of the biggest trades of the offseason over the summer.
Goff, coupled with new coach Dan Campbell, could infuse some much needed life into the league's only franchise to never appear in the Super Bowl and one which has only won one playoff game since 1992.
The team also hasn't finished over .500 since 2017 when they went 9-7.
MORE: Watch 49ers vs. Lions live with fuboTV (7-day trial)
Despite all of their recent woes, however, they face a 49ers team which has only won one Week 1 game under current coach Kyle Shanahan and one wherein questions remain at quarterback as Shanahan chooses between the expensive and oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo or newcomer and this year's third-overall pick Trey Lance.
Still, it's unlikely that whatever perceived instability at quarterback the 49ers face will really make them liable for an upset as they're anchored on defense by three-time Pro-Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa and on offense by young receivers like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel as well as All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
However, it could make for at least an interesting or compelling game on behalf of the Lions.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the 49ers vs. Lions game on Sunday, including kickoff time, TV channels and a full Week 1 NFL schedule.
What channel is 49ers vs. Lions on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU
- TV channel (Detroit): WJBK
- Live stream: Fox Sports app, fuboTV
The matchup between the two teams will air on Fox nationally and locally and can also be streamed with the Fox Sports app or on fuboTV.
Kevin Kugler will man play-by-play duties for the game while former USC standout and former Jets starter Mark Sanchez will join him in the booth as an analyst. The game will be Sanchez's first regular season game in the booth as an analyst after being added to the rotation in July.
In Canada, viewers can watch 49ers vs. Lions on DAZN, which has rights to every NFL game.
49ers vs. Lions start time
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 12
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT
49ers vs. Lions is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit.
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NFL schedule Week 1
Thursday, Sept. 9
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Cowboys at Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC, fuboTV |
Sunday, Sept. 12
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Jaguars at Texans | 1 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Chargers at Washington | 1 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Jets at Panthers | 1 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Seahawks at Colts | 1 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| 49ers at Lions | 1 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Vikings at Bengals | 1 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Cardinals at Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Steelers at Bills | 1 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Eagles at Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Packers at Saints | 4:25 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Broncos at Giants | 4:25 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV |
| Dolphins at Patriots | 4:25 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Browns at Chiefs | 4:25 p.m. | CBS, fuboTV |
| Bears at Rams | 8:20 p.m. | NBC, fuboTV |
Monday, Sept. 13
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Ravens at Raiders | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV |
49ers schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | @ Lions | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | @ Eagles | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Packers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Seahwaks | 4:05 p.m. | NBC |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | @ Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
| 6 | BYE | - | - | - |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | vs. Colts | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | @ Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | vs. Rams | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | @ Jaguars | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | vs. Vikings | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | @ Seahawks | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | @ Bengals | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | vs. Falcons | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 23 | @ Titans | 8:20 p.m. | NFL Network |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | vs. Texans | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | @ Rams | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
Lions schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | @ Packers | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | @ Bears | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | @ Vikings | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | @ Rams | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | vs. Eagles | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | BYE | - | - | - |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | @ Steelers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | @ Browns | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 25 | vs. Bears | 12:30 p.m. | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | @ Broncos | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | vs. Cardinals | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | @ Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | @ Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. | Fox |