Lions beat the 49ers 40-34 in a tune-up for Week 18 division showdown

The significant objectives for the Detroit Lions are still within reach, as the team aims for a division title, the top seed in the NFC playoffs, and its inaugural Super Bowl appearance. In a rematch of last season's NFC championship game, which Detroit lost to San Francisco, there was little at stake. Nevertheless, Coach Dan Campbell and the Lions approached the game with the same intensity that has characterized his leadership. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, leading the Lions to a 40-34 victory over the 49ers on Monday night, as they prepared for their crucial Week 18 matchup against Minnesota. "This is how we operate. We just go out and find a way to win," Goff remarked. "This game ended our season last year. Many players on this team experienced that loss and were eager to avenge it, even though it held little significance for either side this time." The implications of this game were minimal compared to their previous encounter, where a Super Bowl berth was at stake last January. San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention the previous week, while Detroit is set to face Minnesota in the regular-season finale next week. The winner will secure the NFC North title and the top seed in the NFC playoffs, while the loser will become the first 14-win wild-card team in NFL history. "This is just fairytale stuff," Campbell commented. Had the Vikings lost on Sunday, Detroit could have secured the division and the No. 1 seed on Monday night.

The victory against the 49ers will only hold significance if Detroit and Minnesota end in a tie during Week 18, as the Lions are now positioned to secure the No. 1 seed in that improbable situation. Coach Campbell contemplated resting some starters but ultimately determined it would be unjust to the backups who had not adequately prepared, as well as to the starters who would still need to participate. The decision proved beneficial, as the Lions achieved a win while maintaining their health. “I concluded that the right course of action was to have those players on the field,” he remarked. "We owed it to the team. ... It was a challenging decision. The primary focus was on improving aspects we felt we could enhance from last week, and we succeeded." Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a decisive touchdown pass in the final minute of the third quarter, following the first of Kerby Joseph's two interceptions in the second half against Brock Purdy. This was sufficient for the Lions (14-2) to finish their regular season with an unblemished record on the road, defeating the 49ers (6-10) away for the first time since 1975 and avenging last season's playoff defeat. “I still carried that motivation from last year,” Joseph stated. “We were so close and just fell short.” Jahymr Gibbs sealed the game with a 30-yard touchdown run with under three minutes remaining, following Purdy's second interception, bringing his total to 117 rushing yards for the evening. The offenses were dominant for a significant portion of the game, with both teams scoring touchdowns on their initial five possessions, and Purdy and Goff successfully completing the first 17 passes of the contest, including a flawlessly executed hook-and-ladder play that resulted in a 42-yard touchdown for Goff.

A short pass was delivered to St. Brown, who promptly pitched the ball to Jameson Williams. Williams then sprinted down the sideline for the final 41 yards, securing his second touchdown of the first half. The only interruptions during this half occurred when Renardo Green disrupted a pass from Goff intended for Sam LaPorta in the end zone, and when Jake Moody failed to convert a 51-yard field goal attempt in the closing moments for San Francisco. Purdy initiated the second half with a 5-yard touchdown pass during San Francisco's opening drive, but Detroit's defense eventually halted their momentum when Joseph intercepted an overthrown pass from Purdy. Goff capitalized on this opportunity, throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to St. Brown on fourth-and-goal, which allowed the Lions to take their first lead at 31-28 late in the third quarter. Moody missed a 58-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter, marking his ninth miss of the season. Additionally, he failed to convert an extra point following a touchdown run by Joshua Dobbs in the final minute. "We weren’t able to slow them down enough on defense," remarked 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. "That’s a very good offense, but we need to find ways to contain them better. That was the key factor in the game. We had to engage in a shootout, and I believe our two turnovers made a significant difference." Regarding injuries, Lions' right tackle Penei Sewell left the game early at the end of the first half to have a thumb injury evaluated, but there are no concerns about his condition. For the 49ers, Purdy exited late in the fourth quarter after sustaining a throwing elbow injury during a sack. Purdy indicated that his elbow "doesn’t feel the best," but initial assessments confirmed that his surgically repaired ligament from the 2022 NFC title game against Philadelphia is intact. Looking ahead, the Lions will host Minnesota on Sunday night, while the 49ers will travel to Arizona on the same day.