Takeaways from Lions' 34-31 Loss to 49ers

Lions 2023 season has come to an end.

The Detroit Lions started their 2023 NFL season as a young team with elevated expectations, as the end of last season infused the organization with hope that lessons learned during the second half of 2022 could carry over into a new year. 

A culmination of belief, consistent preparation, hard work and high-quality coaching resulted in Dan Campbell leading his football team into a showdown with the San Francisco 49ers, one of the elite franchises in the NFL. 

All season, Detroit's fans traveled all over the country, bearing witness to a team that shed many of the negative labels that dominated perceptions of the franchise for decades. 

Detroit's performance in the first half was among its best all season. It raced out to a three-touchdown lead, led by its plethora of offensive weapons. 

Unfortunately, third quarter woes again erased all the momentum gained in the first thirty minutes. 

San Francisco surged in the final 30 minutes and the Lions' defense had little to no answers. 

After 60 minutes of action in the NFC Championship Game, the Lions were defeated, 34-31, ending their hopes of playing for a Lombardi Trophy. 

Here are several takeaways from the Lions crushing, season-ending loss to the 49ers. 

Jameson Williams turns on the jets early 

Detroit's second-year wideout has all the potential to be among the most explosive offensive weapons in the league. 

After working his way back from suspension and dedicating himself to improving, his role in the offense has been steadily increasing. Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently expressed the potential was there for the speedy wideout to have a breakout performance quite soon. 

On Detroit's first offensive possession, after the 49ers won the coin toss and deferred, Ben Johnson called the wideout's number on the fourth play of the game. 

After two successful run plays to David Montgomery and a Sam LaPorta reception, Williams took a handoff and turned on the jets, scampering 42 yards for a quick touchdown. 

You can’t teach that! What a play call pic.twitter.com/Rtk1ew0e6K

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) January 28, 2024

Offensive line gave Goff plenty of time in first quarter

After a missed Jake Moody field goal, Detroit's offense took advantage of early momentum in the first quarter with another touchdown on its next possession. 

Despite Jonah Jackson being out, Detroit's offensive line allowed Goff enough time to survey the landscape and run the offense. 

The 49ers' defensive line, which had success all season bringing pressure just rushing four, struggled early to wreak havoc against Goff.  

Detroit took a 14-0 lead on an 11-play, 62-yard scoring drive that spanned just a little over five minutes. 

Montgomery capped off the drive with a 1-yard rush up the middle. 

49ers turnover proves costly 

Linebacker Derrick Barnes, who sealed Detroit's victory last week against the Buccaneers, left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury. 

Malcolm Rodriguez, who saw his role be primarily on special teams and at fullback for a brief period this season, was able to intercept Brock Purdy in the second quarter. His return was nullified due to a personal foul penalty called on Ceedy Duce. 

Detroit capitalized off of the turnover, too. Jahmyr Gibbs was able to elude tacklers on a 15-yard touchdown run that gave Detroit a 21-7 lead. 

Campbell takes points in the first half, goes for it in third quarter

Detroit's head coach is among the most aggressive on fourth down in the league. 

To the surprise of some, Campbell decided to taper the aggressiveness in the first half, instead deciding to kick a field goal to give Detroit the 24-7 halftime lead. 

In the third quarter, which Detroit has struggled to execute at a high level all season, Campbell decided to go for it on fourth-and-2. Instead of running the football, a pass fell incomplete to Josh Reynolds, who should have come up with the reception. 

On the ensuing possession, the 49ers used the confidence gained from a defensive stop to march down the field to cut Detroit's lead to seven, 24-17. 

Purdy led a five-play, 72-yard scoring drive that took less than two minutes. Detroit's defense gave up an explosive 51-yard pass play to wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who went on to score on a six-yard touchdown reception. 

Campbell went for it again on fourth-and-short early in the fourth quarter, and again his aggressiveness cost the Lions dearly. 

On the subsequent drive, Purdy led the 49ers on a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that put the nail in the coffin for Detroit. It marked the fifth consecutive drive of the second half in which San Francisco scored points. 

Lions' third quarter woes sink season

With a hefty lead, the Lions had an opportunity to ice the game away with a strong third quarter. However, it was not to be as the offense started sluggish. 

The 49ers drove for a field goal on their first possession. After the Lions were stopped on fourth down, San Francisco caught a lucky break when Aiyuk hauled in a pass that ricocheted off of Kindle Vildor's helmet. Aiyuk caught a touchdown three plays later. 

On the next play from scrimmage, Gibbs fumbled and the 49ers were gifted excellent field position. It was just his third fumble all year.

San Francisco capitalized, as a long run by Brock Purdy set up Christian McCaffrey's game-tying touchdown.