close
close

Rydax

Saturday – News Update

Jared Goff and the Lions questioned by fans as Super Bowl contenders despite victory against the 49ers | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Jared Goff and the Lions questioned by fans as Super Bowl contenders despite victory against the 49ers | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Sakege06 mins

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 30: Penei Sewell #58, Jared Goff #16 and Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions wait in the tunnel before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers was essentially meaningless for the Lions, as the top NFC playoff spot and the NFC North title came down to a Week 18 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

That doesn’t mean the game didn’t highlight a particularly troubling trend in Detroit.

The defense once again struggled to stop the opposing offense, although the Lions’ electrifying offense ultimately led the way in a 40-34 shootout victory.

And the outcome might have been closer if San Francisco’s Jake Moody hadn’t missed two field goals and an extra point, or if Brock Purdy hadn’t thrown a pair of inexplicable interceptions in the second half.

ESPN @espn

KERBY JOSEPH PICKS BROCK PURDY FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT
That’s his league-leading ninth INT this season pic.twitter.com/2V7Ts6C3kU

Remember, this was a Niners team (6-10) that has now lost six of its last seven games and has been held to 17 points or less in five of the last seven.

Jared Goff led the way for the Lions, finishing 26 of 34 for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Yes, the Lions are incredible on the offensive side of the ball.

And yes, they have been ravaged by injuries on defense, so it’s easy to understand why the struggles have arisen. But it has become a big enough concern to jeopardize their Super Bowl aspirations, as fans and pundits were quick to point out on social media:

Dan Hanzus @DanHanzus

There will be absurd pressure on the Lions offense in January. I’m not sure this will work.

Carlos Robinson @carlosrobinson

This game may not mean anything as far as playoff implications go, but the #Lions The defense shouldn’t be pressured like that. Especially against an insufficient team #49ers offense.

MarkMaske @MarkMaske

The 49ers have four touchdowns and a missed field goal in five possessions so far tonight. The Lions have yet to really stop on defense. That has to be a big concern for a team with such big aspirations.

Chris @DaRuffWay_

The lions’ offense is ridiculous.
The defense sucks though.

AJAR @king ajar

The Lions’ defense at this point is “let’s make a stop”, the offense will take us to home mode.

DevynC2502 @OneeDC2502

@Lions our defense has to be strengthened, we have to play better defense, guys

Guy N. Limbeck @PBglimbeck

This Lions pass defense is not good. The Vikings should be able to feast in the air.

Christopher Nelson @sportsmanNelson

This MNF matchup is turning out to be a great offensive shootout. But that being said, it really makes you wonder if the Lions can really keep up with the high-powered offense on their own. Your defense has to be able to make stops or they won’t.

The Lions are incredibly fun to watch on offense and are good enough to beat several teams in shootouts, as evidenced by their 14-2 record. But in the NFC, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings (and in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs) are much more balanced on both sides of the ball.

What happens if the Vikings or Eagles get more defensive stops in the playoffs and the defense can’t stop those drives? Can Detroit really hope to simply win every playoff game with just an elite offense?

One of the oldest clichés in sports is that defenses win championships, and it persists for a reason. In the NFL, it is perhaps more accurate to say that great quarterbacks, aided by strong defenses, win championships. But it’s pretty difficult to get to the Super Bowl and win it without both components in place.

Related News

Back To Top