the Detroit Lions He technically didn't need to win Monday night's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, which raises the question of whether head coach Dan Campbell will pull his starters at some point in this matchup.
But, as Campbell has shown us many times in the past, he will never give up no matter what the situation. And after he said he'd be “full speed” on the West Coast this week, he meant it.
Dropped black 49ers40-34, with starters playing on both sides of the ball throughout the game.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Monday, December 30, 2024. (to imagine)
Detroit remembers well what happened in January at Levi's Stadium, after it blew a huge first-half lead in the NFC Championship game. So, there was a little payback in this game even though the 49ers were eliminated from contention in the playoffs.
Jared Goff passed on his way to three touchdowns, going 26 of 34 for 303 yards in another stellar performance for the Lions. He found Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but by far the Lions' best touchdown was another sideline play that worked to perfection.
Earlier this season, St. Brown would pass the ball back to Jahmir Gibbs for a score against a team-high Arizona Cardinals. Well, the same concept was used when St. Brown picked off the speedy slant from Goff, but the speedy Jameson Williams came up behind him and took the ball home for a 41-yard touchdown.
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At that point, the game was 14-13, with Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense clicking well to start this game.
Purdy orchestrated three straight touchdown drives against Detroit to open it, including a hit to rookie Ricky Pearsall on the game's opening drive. Then, he needed just six plays on the next drive to find Kyle Goscheck from nine yards out, and the third down was a nine-yard scramble from Purdy to make it 21-13.
However, the second half witnessed the dominance of the Lions that many teams have felt this season. It started with a quick opening drive that saw Laporta reach the end zone from six yards out. But, once again, the 49ers answered with a touchdown of their own, as Deebo Samuel found his way into pay dirt to reclaim the lead, 28-21.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight end George Kittle (85) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. (Photos by Kyle Terada-Imagine)
This back-and-forth battle would have fallen off the rails when one team was forced into trouble, and that's exactly what Aaron Glenn's Lyons defense did after making it 28-24 on a Jake Betts field goal.
Kirby Joseph, who now leads the NFL in interceptions this season, caught Purdy's throw that sailed over Pearsall's head. And when Detroit makes a turnover, points usually follow.
That's when St. Brown's touchdown, a four-yard catch, came for the Lions, who scored fourth-and-goal to take a 31-28 lead. The next snap saw a missed Jake Moody field goal from 58 yards out, followed by another Joseph interception, giving him nine for the year.
That interception was the nail in the coffin, as Gibbs, who rushed for 117 yards on just 18 carries, broke loose for a 30-yarder to add to the Lions' offense.
Purdy was eventually injured on the 49ers' final drive of the game, but backup Josh Dobbs added to the score with a scrambling touchdown run to make it a 40-34 game. But the onside kick attempt to keep the game alive was recovered by Detroit.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Monday, December 30, 2024. (to imagine)
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Looking more at the stat sheet, St. Brown led the Lions with eight receptions for 60 yards, while LaPorta finished with 64 yards on six catches.
Purdy would have had a great performance if not for the two interceptions, as he was 27-for-35 for 377 yards with three touchdowns. Pearsall had a game-high 141 yards on eight catches, while George Kittle matched his eight receptions for 112 yards. Jauan Jennings also finished with 67 yards on seven catches.
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