Lions Clinch Win Over 49ers, Set Up Week 18 NFC North

In a thrilling conclusion to the final “Monday Night Football” game of the season, the Detroit Lions pulled off a 40-34 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions scored five straight touchdowns in the second half, with quarterback Jared Goff leading the charge, completing 26 of 34 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also had a stellar performance, contributing 163 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

The game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams combining for a whopping 914 yards on 129 plays, and neither team punting once. The 49ers initially had the upper hand, leading 21-13 at halftime, thanks to a blocked extra point and a missed 51-yard field goal by kicker Jake Moody just before the break.

Detroit fought back in the second half, tying the game early before scoring 19 unanswered points, aided by two interceptions from 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Gibbs sealed the victory with a 30-yard touchdown run, putting the Lions up 40-28. Despite a late touchdown run by backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs following a Brock Purdy injury, Detroit held on for the win.

Purdy had an impressive outing, throwing for a career-high 377 yards and three touchdowns, but two critical turnovers sealed his team’s fate. Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall emerged as Purdy’s go-to target, hauling in eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.

With the win, the Lions (14-2) set up a dramatic NFC North showdown against the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) in Week 18, where the division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC will be on the line. A win or tie will secure the division for Detroit, while a loss would drop them to the No. 5 seed, forcing them to play on the road in the playoffs.

San Francisco (6-10) will wrap up their disappointing season with a road game against the Arizona Cardinals (7-9). The 49ers are out of playoff contention and will be looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft with a top-15 pick.