SANTA CLARA – For the second straight season, the 49ers are closing out their Levi’s Stadium schedule in opposition to the Detroit Lions. Monday evening’s stakes, nonetheless, aren’t as nice as final January’s, at the least not for the 49ers.
The Lions (13-2) are those nonetheless contending for an elusive Lombardi Trophy, to not point out the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a streamlined path to the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl.
A 12 months in the past, the 49ers owned that No. 1 seed and finally rallied previous the Lions at Levi’s Stadium within the largest comeback ever in an NFC Championship Sport, overcoming a 24-7 halftime deficit to win 34-31.
“We’re all very aware that they think they gave us one last year, and they’re going to do everything they can to come in here and beat us by 30 points,” tight finish George Kittle stated. “It’s our job to not let them do that. I fully expect us to win. I go into every single game expecting to win.”
The 49ers (6-9) have gained so few they’re vacating the NFC throne, having been eradicated final Sunday from playoff rivalry. Defensive finish Nick Bosa summed up the distinction between the Lions’ and the 49ers’ seasons: “They’re doing great, and we had an off-year.”
The Lions can clinch the NFC’s high seed by beating the 49ers, however provided that the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) lose at dwelling Sunday to the Inexperienced Bay Packers (11-4).
The 49ers can upset the Lions if … nicely, rather a lot a lot go their approach. Listed here are 5 areas to observe:
1. PURDY’S QUICK PASSING
Process No. 1 for this recreation and the season’s last eight quarters is to get Brock Purdy by way of it wholesome. Certain, a well-earned contract extension is in it for him. However the 49ers can’t afford an harm that can setback their offseason program and coaching camp, when the muse of a renaissance should be established.
Purdy will help issues behind a patchwork line by uncorking passes sooner. Throw screens and quickies to Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Isaac Guerendo, Kyle Juszczyk, and possibly even first-round afterthought Ricky Pearsall. That can assist fight the blitzes certain to come back from Detroit’s determined protection that’s protecting for injured starters.
“It’s about doing my job, not doing anything uncharacteristic and trying to do too much,” Purdy stated. “When it comes to the pass game, I can do my part getting the ball out, being on time and help them establish their feet within the game.”
Purdy is averaging 2.94 seconds to throw this season. That’s tied for the thirty third quickest draw within the NFL land. However that’s nothing new. As nice as Purdy was at processing defenses on the onset of his profession, he’s historically taken his time to throw: 2.84 seconds in 2022, 2.88 seconds final 12 months. Within the 49ers’ NFC title win over the Lions, Purdy clocked a 2.91-second common.
2. GET GIBBS DOWN
Final season’s NFC Championship recreation turned on Brandon Aiyuk catching a ricocheted cross close to the Lions’ objective line. However Aiyuk’s ensuing landing catch didn’t put the 49ers forward. What enhanced the 49ers’ comeback was Jahmyr Gibbs’ fumble on the following snap (pressured by Tashaun Gipson, recovered by Arik Armstead), and that arrange Christian McCaffrey’s game-tying landing.
Gibbs, of all Lions outdoors of Campbell’s aggressive play calls, ought to be hungriest for redemption. He’s fumbled as soon as in 252 touches this season (1,156 yards, 12 touchdowns). He’s the Lions’ workhorse much more so with David Montgomery shelved by a knee harm.
The 49ers’ run protection has allowed at the least 140 yards and 30 carries in 4 of the final 5 video games. Whereas they’re permitting the NFL’s second-fewest total yards (304.3 per recreation), their run protection ranks fifteenth (121 yards per recreation). With Dre Greenlaw’s comeback ending after simply 34 snaps, Fred Warner should rally the remaining forged, most of whom are Week 1 starters (minus Javon Hargrave, De’Vondre Campbell and George Odum).
3. FIND RUNNING ROOM
Suppose again to the 49ers’ dwelling opener. McCaffrey was a shock scratch, and uncertainty loomed over the 49ers’ speeding assault. This dwelling finale comes with acquainted considerations. Isaac Guerendo ought to return from a one-game absence (hamstring, foot), and the 49ers have to see what extra he can do forward of subsequent offseason’s restocking of the working again room.
Deebo Samuel is bound to command touches. Bear in mind, he demanded the ball after the 49ers’ halftime deficit to the Lions with a Tremendous Bowl berth on the road. And Samuel broke out final recreation with classic type to interrupt tackles within the 49ers’ shedding bid at Miami.
Purdy, after all, might have to flee and run for achievement. Yet one more flashback from final assembly with Detroit: Purdy scrambled 21 yards on third-and-4 to the Lions’ 28-yard line on a fourth-quarter landing drive.
“It was some real hard-nosed football that got us back in that game and doing it the old-fashioned way,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated Saturday. “And it was cool to watch that. We watched a lot of it (Friday), just talking about run game and things like that.”
4. GET TO GOFF
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has misplaced his final six begins in opposition to the 49ers, together with the 2019 and 2020 season sweeps the Rams sustained with him. However the Marin Catholic and Cal product is having a banner end to this season. He’s had only one cross intercepted in 231 makes an attempt over the previous six video games, since a five-interception cluster in a Nov. 10 win at Houston.
The 49ers haven’t any interceptions in six of their previous seven video games. Out there to strain Goff this time round are their high 4 defensive ends: Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu.
John Lynch, the 49ers’ normal supervisor, gave kudos to the Lions’ brass for the 2021 controversial commerce that introduced Goff from the Rams in alternate for Matthew Stafford. Lynch, on KNBR 680-AM, stated: “A lot of people if you forget at the time were saying, ‘What are you doing? They just bailed the Rams out.’ Well, they found a pretty good guy who fits really well, and they built an offense around him.”
5. BOSA VS. SEWELL
One of many NFL’s greatest matchups, Bosa vs. proper sort out Penei Sewell, stays in place, even when their groups are in several plights.
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson praised how Sewell has polished his method, fundamentals and management since being drafted No. 7 total in 2021. “He really is the tone setter for us on offense. He’s going to drive guys off the ball,” Johnson stated. “He’s looking to take souls out there.”
Bosa is three sacks shy of reaching double figures for a fourth straight season; he sacked Goff twice within the NFC title recreation, and as soon as within the 2021 opener at Detroit.
Bosa stated Sewell’s been taking part in “really good,” and in relation to run blocking, “he’s probably the best one,” Bosa stated of tackles he’s opposed this season.
