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Lions vs 49ers MNF recap

The Detroit Lions faced the San Francisco 49ers in the final Monday Night Football game of 2024 on December 30. Both teams entered with playoff aspirations, making this matchup critical for postseason seeding. The 49ers emerged victorious with a dominant 31-20 win, showcasing their balanced offense and suffocating defense.

Game Recap
San Francisco set the tone early with a 12-play, 75-yard opening drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown run from Christian McCaffrey. The Lions responded with a field goal but struggled to gain offensive rhythm against the 49ers’ elite defense.

In the second quarter, Brock Purdy connected with Deebo Samuel for a 35-yard touchdown, extending the 49ers’ lead to 14-3. Detroit closed the gap to 14-10 at halftime, thanks to a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The second half belonged to the 49ers. A 15-yard touchdown run by McCaffrey and a 40-yard field goal by Jake Moody extended their lead to 24-10. While Detroit fought back with a fourth-quarter touchdown from Jahmyr Gibbs, San Francisco sealed the game with a late interception by Fred Warner, setting up a touchdown pass to George Kittle.

Key Performances

  • San Francisco 49ers:
    • Christian McCaffrey: 145 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 40 receiving yards.
    • Brock Purdy: 258 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.
    • Fred Warner: 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble.
  • Detroit Lions:
    • Jared Goff: 278 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
    • Amon-Ra St. Brown: 9 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD.
    • Jahmyr Gibbs: 89 rushing yards, 1 TD.

Statistical Highlights

  • Total Yards:
    • 49ers: 402
    • Lions: 356
  • Turnovers:
    • 49ers: 1
    • Lions: 2
  • Time of Possession:
    • 49ers: 34:15
    • Lions: 25:45

Takeaways

  • The 49ers solidified their status as a top contender in the NFC with a complete performance on both sides of the ball. McCaffrey and Purdy’s consistent play continues to drive their success.
  • The Lions showcased flashes of brilliance but struggled with turnovers and sustaining drives, issues they’ll need to address as they prepare for a potential wildcard berth.

Call-to-Action (CTA):
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Written by Eduardo Marin

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