In their home finale on December 30, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers suffered a 40-34 defeat to the Detroit Lions. The loss, marking their sixth in seven games, sealed the 49ers’ last-place finish in the NFC West. Quarterback Brock Purdy, who had been performing at an MVP-caliber level earlier in the game, re-injured his throwing elbow in the fourth quarter. Despite this setback, Purdy expressed a strong desire to play in the team’s final regular-season game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The 49ers’ offense showed promise early on, with Purdy playing exceptionally well, Deebo Samuel scoring a touchdown, George Kittle dominating defenders, and rookie Ricky Pearsall making an impressive impact with eight catches for 141 yards. On defense, Nick Bosa was his usual disruptive self, putting pressure on the Lions’ quarterback. However, the 49ers could not maintain their momentum and failed to keep up with the Lions, who had a commanding performance, especially in the second half.
During the game, key moments included Purdy scoring a touchdown, a spectacular 30-yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs for Detroit, and a crucial interception by Kerby Joseph in the fourth quarter. The 49ers also faced struggles with missed extra points and failed drives late in the game. Despite a strong individual showing from players like Kittle and Pearsall, San Francisco could not prevent the Lions from clinching the victory.
The game was also marked by a tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, who had passed away the day before. Fans from both teams experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, but it was Detroit that celebrated the win as the 49ers walked off the field with their heads held low.
