The Detroit Lions technically didn’t need to win Monday night’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, raising the question of whether head coach Dan Campbell would pull his starters at any point in this game.
But, as Campbell has shown us too many times in the past, he’s never going to give in no matter the situation. And after saying it will be “full throttle” on the West Coast this week, he meant it.
The Lions defeated the 49ers, 40-34, where the starters played throughout the game on both sides of the ball.
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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, Calif., Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (IMAGE)
Detroit remembers well what happened in January at Levi’s Stadium, having blown a huge lead in the first half of the NFC Championship Game. So there was a bit of revenge in this case even though the 49ers were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Jared Goff had 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 lateral play that worked perfectly.
Earlier this season, St. Brown gave it back to Jahmyr Gibbs for a score against the Arizona Cardinals. Well, the same concept was used when St. Brown caught Goff’s quick slant, but the speedy Jameson Williams came up behind him and took the ball to the house on a 41-yard run.
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At that point, it was a 14-13 game, as Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense were doing a good job to start this game.
Purdy orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives against Detroit to open the scoring, including a strike to rookie Ricky Pearsall on the first drive of the game. He then needed just six plays on the next drive to find Kyle Juszczyk from nine yards out, and the third touchdown was a Purdy scramble for nine yards to make the score 21-13.
However, the second half saw a Lions dominance that many teams have felt this season. It began with a quick initial drive that saw LaPorta reach the end zone from six yards out. But once again, the 49ers responded with a touchdown of their own, as Deebo Samuel found his way into the dirt to retake 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. (Images by Kyle Terada-Imagn)
This back-and-forth battle was only going to go off the rails when one team forced the issue, and that’s exactly what Aaron Glenn’s Lions defense did after making the score 28-24 on a Jake Bates field goal .
Kerby Joseph, who now leads the NFL in interceptions this season, intercepted a Purdy throw that went over Pearsall’s head. And when Detroit commits turnovers, points usually follow.
That’s when St. Brown’s touchdown came, a four-yard reception, for the Lions, who went for it on fourth-and-goal to take a 31-28 lead. On the next series, Jake Moody missed a field goal from 58 yards, followed by another interception by Joseph, giving him nine on the year.
That interception drove the nail in the coffin, as Gibbs, who rushed for 117 yards on just 18 carries, broke off a 30-yard touchdown run to add to the Lions’ offensive attack.
Purdy was ultimately injured on the 49ers’ final drive of the game, but backup Josh Dobbs contributed to the score with a touchdown run to make the game 40-34. But Detroit recovered the onside kick attempt to keep the game alive.
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, Calif., Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (IMAGE)
Looking further at the stat sheet, St. Brown led the Lions with eight receptions for 60 yards, while LaPorta finished with 64 yards on six receptions.
Purdy would have had a brilliant performance if not for the two interceptions, as he went 27 of 35 for 377 yards with three touchdowns. Pearsall had 141 receiving yards for the game, a game-high with eight receptions, while George Kittle matched his eight receptions for 112 yards. Jauan Jennings also finished with 67 yards on seven receptions.
