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Lions Edge 49ers in 40-34 Thriller: Week 17 Report Card
The Detroit Lions left San Francisco with a hard-fought 40-34 victory over the 49ers, and perhaps more importantly, they avoided any significant injuries. Let’s dive into the performance breakdown with our Week 17 report card.
Quarterback: A+
Jared Goff continues to deliver at an elite level. Week after week, he raises the bar, and this game was no exception. His two blemishes—a late, off-target throw on a failed fourth down and a bad sack that nearly cost the team field goal range—were overshadowed by his exceptional accuracy, decision-making, and clutch play.
The opening drive of the second half was vintage Goff, marked by pinpoint passes and flawless execution. He’s playing some of the best football of his career.
Running Backs: A
Jahmyr Gibbs shined once again, showcasing his ability to carry the load as a true RB1. His 22 touches for 163 yards and a touchdown accounted for over 37% of Detroit’s offensive output. Gibbs combined patience, explosiveness, and physicality, making him nearly unstoppable.
Complementary efforts by Craig Reynolds (31 yards) and Jermar Jefferson (9 yards) added grit to the ground game, especially in short-yardage situations.
Tight Ends: A+
Sam LaPorta had arguably his best game of the season. His six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown were impactful, but his blocking stood out even more. He was instrumental in key plays, including Jameson Williams’ rushing touchdown, where he teamed with Brock Wright to set the edge.
LaPorta’s contributions included a fourth-down conversion, a touchdown, and critical third-down receptions, proving his reliability in high-stakes moments.
Wide Receivers: A
Jameson Williams led the way with two touchdowns, including a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder play with Amon-Ra St. Brown. The duo combined for 13 catches, 137 yards, and three total touchdowns, while Allen Robinson added a clutch 21-yard grab.
Offensive Line: A-
The Lions’ offensive line helped produce 152 rushing yards (4.6 YPC), two rushing touchdowns, and kept Goff clean on most plays, allowing just four hits on 36 dropbacks.
However, Nick Bosa proved a tough challenge, racking up seven pressures, two sacks, and forcing a holding penalty. While the line contained the rest of the 49ers’ front, Bosa’s impact kept this performance from perfection.
Defensive Line: F
Against a weakened 49ers offensive line, Detroit’s defensive front was virtually invisible. Pressure only came from blitzes, and the run defense was gashed early until San Francisco inexplicably abandoned the ground game. The lack of production from the starting front—highlighted by Za'Darius Smith's zero tackles—was glaring.
Linebackers: F
Linebacker play remains a major liability. Play-action and misdirection left them vulnerable all game. Jalen Reeves-Maybin struggled in coverage, while Jack Campbell was inconsistent, biting hard on fakes and allowing big plays over the middle.
The 49ers exploited the unit through George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk, and Isaac Guerendo, who combined for 186 yards and a touchdown. Without improvement, this group will be a liability in the postseason.
Defensive Backs: C-
Detroit’s secondary struggled early, with blown coverages and confusion on play-action plays. Ricky Pearsall’s eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown highlighted the issues.
However, the unit steadied in the second half, highlighted by Kerby Joseph’s two crucial interceptions. His instincts and athleticism helped seal the win, masking an otherwise shaky outing.
Special Teams: B-
The special teams had an uneven day. A blocked extra point and missed kick by Jake Bates hurt, but he redeemed himself with clutch 42- and 57-yard field goals. Kickoff coverage was shaky, allowing Deebo Samuel to average 32 yards per return. Tom Kennedy provided a bright spot with a solid 28.7-yard return average.
Coaching: A-
Dan Campbell’s decision to play his starters was bold, and while some may have preferred a more cautious approach, his reasoning was sound. The team’s preparation paid off, and Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down strategy was spot on, with all three attempts supported by analytics.
The Lions’ resilience and execution in key moments reflected the coaching staff’s preparation and confidence in their players.
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