SANTA CLARA – Monday’s game kicked off the New Year but neither the 49ers nor the Lions had much to play for as San Francisco was eliminated last week and Detroit’s season finale against Minnesota is all that matters in NFC’s top seed.
San Francisco opened the scoring with an 11-play opening drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown grab by rookie wide receiver Rickey Pearsall from quarterback Brock Purdy.
Detroit countered in their first possession of the game by marching down the field in nine plays, scoring on a 3-yard Williams touchdown run. The extra point was blocked.
San Francisco’s second possession ended with Purdy finding an open Kyle Juszczyk for a 9-yard touchdown pushing their lead to 14-6.
But the Lions’ next possession by Jared Goff sent wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on a 1-yard slant at the 49ers 41-yard line, taking it down for his second touchdown of the contest.
Detroit opened the second half marching down the field in 10 plays and punched it into the end zone on a 6-yard strike for Goff to LaPorta, with a 2-point conversion, then the game tied at 21-21.
A Moody 58-yard field goal miss early in the fourth quarter gave the Lions a terrific field position at their own 48 goal line.
Bates turned that into a 42-yard field goal and a 34-28 Lions lead.
Joseph helped seal the game for the Lions picking off Purdy for the second time. Detroit turned the interception into a 30-yard touchdown and a 40-28 lead.
The 49ers got a late Joshua Dobbs touchdown run in the final minute but couldn’t convert the onside kick and the Lions ended the game in victory formation.
