Back in January, Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers secured their biggest victory of the season by defeating the Detroit Lions 34-31, advancing to the Super Bowl.
What a difference nearly a year makes.
Now eliminated from playoff contention and locked into a losing record at 6-9, the 49ers will face the Lions again in Week 17. For Detroit, this game holds significant weight, as first place in the NFC North – and possibly the entire conference – is at stake.
When asked about the chance to spoil the Lions’ ambitions, Purdy acknowledged Detroit’s drive but expressed hope that the 49ers could hand them another defeat, this time under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
“Last year’s NFC Championship Game brought a lot of emotions, especially since we advanced to the Super Bowl while their season ended. We understand that feeling – we went through it the previous year against Philadelphia. It’s definitely something to keep in mind, and we have to be prepared,” Purdy shared with reporters.
“Above all, we need to battle for four quarters, aiming to win and build momentum for our organization. This locker room is filled with love for one another, and we want to play for each other. Winning at Levi’s Stadium is everything to us. We know Detroit will come in motivated after last year, but that’s the excitement of this league. It’s Monday Night Football – it’s going to be a great game.”
On paper, the Lions are heavy favorites. They’ve consistently played at a high level, while the 49ers have underperformed throughout 2024. However, Purdy and the 49ers have thrived when overlooked, managing surprise wins over teams like the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Bears.
Is Detroit the toughest opponent San Francisco will face this year? Probably – except for the Super Bowl, where the 49ers fell to the Chiefs after previously defeating them just weeks before.
