NFL

NFL Fans Respond To Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Outdueling Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Sports Editor

Published30 Dec 2024

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In an NFL offensive shootout dominated by the opposing quarterbacks, Lions’ Jared Goff outdueled 49ers’ Brock Purdy, 40-34, Monday night. 

Goff finished 26 of 34 for 303 yards and three touchdown es, while Purdy, who left the game after a fourth-quarter sack, went 27 of 35 for 377 yards and three TDs. 

The difference? 

Purdy tossed two interceptions. 

Otherwise, the two signal-callers were so efficient, Goff and Purdy combined to complete their first 16 es for 236 yards, leading to four touchdowns. And they were just getting started. They led their offenses to a combined 914 total yards.

The Lions (14-2), who remain in contention for their first-ever NFC No. 1 playoff seed, scored on their first five second-half possessions as they attempted to compensate for an injury-depleted defense.

X (Twitter) s responded to Monday night’s rematch of the 2023 NFC championship game, which saw the Lions waste 24-7 halftime lead. Monday night, the Lions dominated the 49ers during the second half …

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury-depleted defense entering Monday night … 

At least one Lions fan needed a big night from Goff and Co. to clinch one of the many Yahoo fantasy football leagues that were decided Monday night … 

On the game’s opening drive Monday, Purdy hit on all three of his attempts, capped by a 3-yard touchdown to Ricky Pearsall, who hauled in his second career score and first at Levi’s Stadium … 

As a preview of a potential shootout, the Lions converted on their opening series as Jameson Williams ran untouched, aided by a Graham Glasgow block, into the end zone, tying the score at 7-7 at 3:42 of the first quarter … 

After the score, a PAT by Lions kicker Jake Bates was blocked by Jordan Elliott and a certain Lions fantasy football fan took notice … 

Opening the game 2-for-2, the 49ers scored on Purdy’s 9-yard to Kyle Juszczyk. On the previous play, George Kittle earned his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season on a 20-yard reception one play earlier … 

It’s interesting to watch Lions OC Ben Johnson show off his play-calling skills. Keeping pace (nearly), the Lions used trickery to score on their second possession. Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown, who lateraled to Williams for his second first-half TD … 

As the offenses kept turning, Purdy scored his fifth rushing TD of the season. In three drives, the 49ers ed for three TDs and 191 total yards. Purdy went 9-for-9 for 131 yards, two ing TDs and one rushing score … 

With shades of the failed fourth-down conversions during last season’s NFC championship game, the Lions failed on fourth down as the 49ers earned the game’s first defensive stop. A certain Lions fantasy football fan noticed the incomplete to tight end Sam LaPorta … 

The Lions finally earned a stop when kicker Jack Moody, a former Michigan standout, missed wide right just before halftime. A struggling Moody missed another FG attempt and PAT … 

The offense didn’t rest at halftime as a certain Lions fantasy fan noticed Goff hitting LaPorta for a double-score TD and a two-point conversion. Just like that, the NFL showcase was tied, 21-21, and the two QBs were a combined 30 of 35 for 396 yards and four TDs … 

The 49ers didn’t appear to lose any momentum as Deebo Samuel caught a shovel from Purdy for a 5-yard TD reception. It was Samuel’s first catch of the game … 

The moment all fantasy football fans work for all season long developed for certain Lions fantasy football fan on the next drive, eventually resulting in a Bates field goal … 

Set up by Purdy’s 11th interception this season, the Lions went for it against on fourth down and Goff hit St. Brown on a 4-yard TD, giving the Lions their first lead, 31-28 … 

Leading 34-28 midway through the fourth quarter after another Bates field goal, the Lions’ maligned defense executed a turnover on Kerby Joseph’s second of the game and an NFL-high ninth of the season … 

 With a third-down TD run by rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions improved to nine of 14 on third-down attempts, improving to 40-28 with 2:58 remaining. Bates’ PAT established a new record for most points in team history … 

Lions safety Brian Branch earned his first sack of the season, knocking out Purdy after throwing for a career-high in ing yardage. Backup QB Joshua Dobbs took over and led the 49ers to a late score …

Regardless of the 49ers’ decision, the Lions’ playoff scenario now shifts to next Sunday night’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings (14-2). The winner earns the division title and conference’s top playoff seed … 

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on All posts by Jeff Hawkins