The Detroit Lions technically didn’t have to win Monday night time’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, begging the query of whether or not head coach Dan Campbell would pull his starters sooner or later on this recreation.
However, as Campbell has proven us too many occasions prior to now, he’s by no means going to let up irrespective of the scenario. And after saying it will likely be “full throttle” on the West Coast this week, he meant it.
The Lions took down the 49ers, 40-34, the place the starters performed all through the sport on either side of the ball.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a go towards San Francisco 49ers in the course of the first half at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (IMAGN)
Detroit remembers properly what occurred in January at Levi’s Stadium, having blown an enormous first-half lead within the NFC Championship Sport. So, there was a little bit of revenge on this one regardless of the 49ers being mathematically eradicated from playoff rivalry.
Jared Goff handed his option to three touchdowns, going 26-of-34 for 303 yards in one other stellar efficiency for the Lions. He discovered Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown, however by far the very best Lions landing was yet one more lateral play that labored to perfection.
Earlier this season, it was St. Brown dishing it again to Jahmyr Gibbs for the rating towards the Arizona Cardinals. Effectively, the identical idea was used as St. Brown caught the fast slant from Goff, however the speedy Jameson Williams got here behind him and took the ball to the home on a 41-yard run.
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At that time, it was a 14-13 recreation, as Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense had been clicking properly to start out this recreation.
Purdy orchestrated three straight landing drives towards Detroit to open it up, together with a strike to rookie Ricky Pearsall on the opening drive of the sport. Then, he wanted simply six performs on the following drive to search out Kyle Juszczyk from 9 yards out, and the third landing was a scramble by Purdy for 9 yards to make it 21-13.
Nevertheless, the second half noticed a Lions dominance that has been felt by many groups this season. It started with a fast opening drive that noticed LaPorta get in the long run zone from six yards out. However, as soon as once more, the 49ers answered with a landing of their very own, as Deebo Samuel discovered his approach into pay filth to retake the lead, 28-21.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight finish George Kittle (85) after scoring a landing towards the Detroit Lions in the course of the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos)
This back-and-forth battle was solely going to fall off the rails when one staff pressured the difficulty, and that’s precisely what Aaron Glenn’s Lions protection did after making it 28-24 with a Jake Bates area aim.
Kerby Joseph, who now leads the NFL in interceptions this season, picked off a Purdy throw that sailed over Pearsall’s head. And when Detroit creates turnovers, factors often observe.
That’s when St. Brown’s landing, a four-yard catch, got here for the Lions, who went for it on fourth-and-goal to take a 31-28 lead. The following drives noticed a missed Jake Moody area aim from 58 yards out, adopted by yet one more Joseph interception, which gave him 9 for the yr.
That interception led to the nail within the coffin, as Gibbs, who rushed for 117 yards on simply 18 carries, broke a 30-yard landing run so as to add to the Lions’ offensive onslaught.
Purdy was ultimately injured on the ultimate 49ers drive of the sport, however backup Josh Dobbs did add to the rating with a scramble landing run to make it a 40-34 recreation. However the onside kick try to maintain the sport alive was recovered by Detroit.
Detroit Lions huge receiver Jameson Williams (9) runs for a landing towards San Francisco 49ers in the course of the first half at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (IMAGN)
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Wanting extra on the stat sheet, St. Brown led the Lions with eight receptions for 60 yards, whereas LaPorta completed with 64 yards on six catches.
Purdy would’ve had an excellent efficiency if it wasn’t for the 2 interceptions, as he was 27-for-35 for 377 yards with three touchdowns. Pearsall had 141 receiving yards for the game-high on eight catches, whereas George Kittle matched his eight receptions for 112 yards. Jauan Jennings additionally completed with 67 yards on seven catches.
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