Lions survive the 49ers’ first-half surge, safe 8-0 highway document

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — If there was any query on whether or not Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell would play or relaxation his starters forward of the playoffs, he answered that instantly by going full throttle together with his high guys on Monday evening.

In a rematch of 2023 NFC Championship Game, the Lions obtained revenge, successful 40-34 after the San Francisco 49ers denied Detroit its first-ever Super Bowl look final season.

Detroit hadn’t gained a highway recreation at San Francisco since 1975, shedding 14 straight — together with the postseason — however overcame a 21-13 first-half deficit to finish that highway drought in opposition to the 49ers.

The Lions additionally shut the common season with an ideal 8-0 document on the highway — the longest highway successful streak in franchise historical past.

QB breakdown: Lions QB Jared Goff was in a position to thrive in stress moments on the prime-time stage. All three of Goff’s touchdowns have been on both third or fourth down. He now has 17 touchdowns and 0 interceptions on third and fourth down this season. He additionally completed the sport with 303 passing yards in opposition to the 49ers, whereas finishing 26 of 34 passes.

Promising development: WR Jameson Williams scored a receiving landing for a 3rd straight recreation. Against the 49ers, he scored a 3-yard speeding landing in addition to a 41-yard receiving landing within the first half. In final season’s NFC championship on the 49ers, Williams additionally had a number of touchdowns. He is now 33 yards shy of the primary 1,000-yard receiving season of his profession.

Troubling development: Detroit’s protection. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy picked the Lions’ protection aside together with his accuracy and pinpoint playmaking, notably in the course of the first half. The 49ers scored a landing on their first three possessions, with Purdy additionally finishing two 40-yard passes within the recreation. Against harder competitors, such because the Minnesota Vikings this week, this could possibly be a significant problem. — Eric Woodyard

Next recreation: vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)

In an NFC Championship Game rematch that was speculated to be a battle of NFC titans, the 49ers and Lions entered Monday’s matchup headed in decidedly totally different instructions.

As 49ers finish Nick Bosa succinctly put it on Thursday, “They’re doing nice, and we had an off 12 months.”

By Monday’s kickoff, neither the 49ers nor the Lions actually had a lot to play for as San Francisco was eradicated from postseason rivalry final week and Detroit’s season finale in opposition to Minnesota is all that issues for the NFC’s high seed.

That did not cease the Niners, who have been right down to their fourth-string working again and left deal with and have been lacking key starters everywhere in the roster, from pushing the equally if no more injured Lions to the brink in an entertaining offensive shootout.

There’s no such factor as ethical victories within the NFL, however Monday’s defeat supplied loads of proof that there’s nonetheless loads of struggle left within the Niners and that their perception in coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t wavered. Those are issues that may be useful as they head towards an offseason that holds loads of uncertainty and will deliver numerous change.

In extra sensible phrases, Monday’s loss is best for the 6-10 Niners in that it clinched a last-place schedule for them in 2025 and maintains their possibilities of holding on to the No. 11 choose within the subsequent NFL draft.

Those are small consolations in a misplaced season that the 49ers did not see coming, but when nothing else, they will take extra solace in the truth that a nightmare 2024 is nearly over.

Describe the sport in two phrases: All offense. It’s little shock that the high-octane Lions moved the ball up and down the sphere, however the 49ers’ offense hasn’t finished a lot of that this season. The Niners and Lions scored touchdowns on their first 5 possessions mixed and there wasn’t an incomplete move thrown by both facet till 4:59 remained within the second quarter. By evening’s finish, they mixed for 74 factors and 914 yards.

Most shocking efficiency: 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall has been largely quiet since a giant Week 10 efficiency in Tampa Bay, posting six catches for 58 yards within the ensuing six video games. But Pearsall was prominently within the combine Monday evening, ending with 8 receptions for 141 yards and a landing. He’s the primary 49ers rookie since Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2019 to have 100 receiving yards and a rating in a recreation.

QB breakdown: Purdy was, at the least statistically, good for the higher a part of the primary three quarters Monday evening in opposition to the Lions. Holding a “good” passer score of 158.3 with 4:19 left within the third quarter, Purdy overthrew Pearsall into the ready arms of Lions security Kerby Joseph for the sport’s first turnover. It put a damper on an in any other case stellar efficiency from Purdy who completed 27-of-35 for 377 yards (a profession excessive) with three touchdowns and a speeding rating. In the ultimate two minutes of the sport, Purdy exited with an obvious elbow damage. Purdy mentioned postgame that he could have an MRI on Tuesday.

Troubling development: 49ers kicker Jake Moody‘s struggles — of which there have been many — have largely been restricted to the highway this season. He hadn’t missed a subject objective or further level try at Levi’s Stadium. Until Monday evening. He missed two subject objectives from over 50 yards (51 and 58). Moody was drafted within the third spherical as a result of he is supposed to have the ability to convert these kicks. He additionally missed an additional level on the finish of the fourth quarter. Since Week 10, he is 10-of-18 on subject objective tries, a 55.6% conversion charge. Add kicker to the record of positions the 49ers might want to take an extended have a look at within the offseason. — Nick Wagoner

Next recreation: at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)