CNN — In a rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship game, the Detroit Lions, an offensive powerhouse, continued to cruise by defeating the San Francisco 49ers 40-34 on Monday.
The Lions’ victory puts them back atop the NFC standings going into the last week of the regular season, but Detroit’s matchup on Monday night was anything from easy.
With touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game, the 49ers got off to a fast start and led 21–13 at the half by eight points.
The game was tied at 21 when the Lions opened the second half with a touchdown drive and two-point conversion, but the Niners quickly responded with another touchdown to take the lead again.
The tide shifted decisively in Detroit’s favor after two interceptions by Lions safety Kirby Joseph, and the team’s potent offense continued to rack up points as they won their 14th game of the year. With nine interceptions this season, Joseph is currently ahead of the next closest player in the NFL.
In addition to throwing three touchdown passes to set a new career best of 33 this season, Lions quarterback Jared Goff recorded his sixth 300-yard passing performance of the year.
With a season-high 117 rushing yards, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs put the game out of the Lions’ grasp with a 30-yard touchdown run that demonstrated his lightning-fast pace.
The Lions may have scored an NFL-best 533 points on the season, but the team’s injury-plagued defense has been abused in recent games.
Over the last five games, Detroit’s opponents have scored 30 points per game on average. On Monday, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy passed for a career-high 377 yards, and the 49ers’ offense easily moved the ball up and down the field, outscoring Detroit in the process.
The Minnesota Vikings represent the other elephant in the room. Detroit still hasn’t secured their division even though they have already won more games in a season than any other Lions club.
The Vikings have a record of 14-2. The two teams will play each other in Week 18, with the winner receiving homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, a bye week, and the NFC North title.
The team that loses Sunday’s game will be the fifth seed in the NFC and will have to travel to begin the playoffs.
The loser will also create dubious history by becoming the NFL’s first-ever 14-win wild card squad.
Jake Bates’ field goal with 15 seconds left in October gave the Lions their first setback of the season, and recent history favored them.
The NFL revealed on Sunday that the crucial Week 18 match will take place in primetime, much to the pleasure of football enthusiasts.
