Super Bowl champ LeRoy Butler makes his NFC Championship game prediction: 'The Lions are the better team'

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The Detroit Lions have faced constant chatter about being the underdog ahead of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. 

The Niners are playing at home. They are making their third straight appearance in the championship and their 19th in team history – the most by any NFC team. By comparison, Detroit is making its first NFC Championship appearance in 32 years and has never punched their ticket to the Super Bowl.

Christian McCaffrey, right, of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after scoring a 6-yard rushing touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Levi's Stadium on Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Talk of San Francisco’s firepower versus that of the supposedly lesser known Lions’ has also been a topic of debate. 

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But Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety LeRoy Butler is challenging that narrative. 

"The Lions are the better team," the former Green Bay Packers legend told Fox News in an interview this week. "They're very well-coached. They got a hell of a running game."

Butler went on to sing the praises of several players, including David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Aiden Hutchinson and star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. He even commended the organization for its successful rebuild under head coach Dan Campbell. 

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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