In a thrilling recent matchup between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers on December 30, 2024, fans witnessed a fireworks display of stats and performances. The high-scoring affair ended with the Lions triumphing 40–34, showcasing breakout games across offense, defense, and special teams. Key player stats from this exciting clash reveal who made the biggest impact on both sides.
Offensive leaders: Lions top attackers
Jared Goff put on a clinic, completing 26 of 34 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, yielding a QB rating of 132.4.
Jahmyr Gibbs powered the ground game with 18 carries, 117 yards, and a touchdown, anchoring Detroit’s rushing success.
Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta were key targets:
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Williams hauled in 5 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.
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LaPorta added 6 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Amon-Ra St. Brown contributed notably with 8 receptions, 60 yards, and one touchdown.
Collectively, the Lions’ offense balanced aerial kills and ground pounding to dominate total yardage and scoring.
Offensive standouts: 49ers’ performers
On San Francisco’s side, Brock Purdy had a standout outing with 27 completions on 35 attempts, tossing 377 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Ricky Pearsall emerged as Purdy’s top weapon with 8 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown.
George Kittle also chipped in with 8 catches for 112 yards, although he didn’t score.
Other notable contributors: Jauan Jennings caught 7 balls for 67 yards and rookie Ronnie Bell added some production earlier in the season, though not specifically in this matchup.
Team matchup: yardage and efficiency
The 49ers edged Detroit in total yardage, amassing 475 yards compared to the Lions’ 439, but the Lions capitalized better on their opportunities.
Passing yards: Lions had 287, 49ers posted 400. Rushing yards: Lions gained 152, while 49ers only had 75.
First-down edge: 49ers led with 29 first-downs to Detroit’s 23.
This stats gap highlights how Detroit’s efficient red-zone and explosive scoring overshadowed yardage differences.
Defensive heroes: Lions standout plays
Detroit’s defense featured several key Detroit Lions-49ers: Player Stats performances, none more remarkable than CB Kerby Joseph, who intercepted Brock Purdy twice in the game.
On the night, Joseph had 6 combined tackles (5 solo), 2 pass deflections, and set his season totals at nine interceptions, leading the NFL. He finished 2024 with 91.0 PFF grade, ranking first among safeties.
Defensive leaders: 49ers pressure game
Nick Bosa spearheaded San Francisco’s pass rush, tallying 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 quarterback hits — a dominant presence that kept Detroit’s offense honest.
While Bosa’s efforts were fierce, the 49ers overall defense struggled with breakdowns and miscommunications—issues underscored in post-game analysis.
Game narratives: storyline by storyline
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The Lions finished the season with an 8–0 road record, a first in franchise history.
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That win snapped Detroit’s 14-game winless streak in the Bay Area.
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For the 49ers, this loss reflected large rdefensive struggles, particularly on fourth-down execution and run defense
Comparing recent clash: NFC Championship flashback
In the prior NFC Championship clash on January 28, 2024, the 49ers rallied from 17 points down to beat Detroit 34–31.
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Jared Goff: 25/41 for 273 yards, 1 TD, no interceptions.
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Brock Purdy: 20/31 for 267 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
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David Montgomery led Lions’ ground game with 93 yards and 1 TD, while Christian McCaffrey rushed for two and sealed the win.
Detroit led 24–7 at halftime, but San Francisco stormed back with a furious second half.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions vs 49ers match player stats showcase a vibrant and balanced performance by Detroit — from Goff’s efficient passing to Gibbs’ ground gains and Joseph’s defensive heroics. Meanwhile, San Francisco delivered impressive yardage via Purdy, Pearsall, Kittle, and Bosa, but defensive lapses ultimately tipped the score in favor of the Lions.
Both teams displayed strengths: Detroit’s scoring efficiency and opportunistic defense, and the 49ers’ explosive offense and pass rush. Yet, Detroit’s complete performance clinched a memorable road victory and capped an undefeated away slate.
