Jared Goff, Lions Questioned by Fans as Super Bowl Contender Despite Win vs. 49ers

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVDecember 31, 2024

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers was essentially meaningless for the Lions, with the top seed in the NFC playoffs and the NFC North title coming down to Week 18’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.

That doesn’t mean that the game didn’t highlight one particularly concerning trend in Detroit.

The defense yet again struggled to slow down an opposing offense, though the electrifying Lions’ offense ultimately led the way in a 40-34 shootout win.

And the result might have been closer had San Francisco’s Jake Moody not missed two field goals and an extra point, or if Brock Purdy didn’t throw a pair of inexplicable interceptions in the second half.

ESPN @espnKERBY JOSEPH PICKS OFF BROCK PURDY FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT 🔥

That’s his league-leading ninth INT this season 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/2V7Ts6C3kU

NFL on CBS 🏈 @NFLonCBSpic.twitter.com/3xddMeZKx8

Remember, this was a Niners team (6-10) that has now lost six of its last seven games and has been held to 17 or fewer points in five of the past seven.

Jared Goff led the way for the Lions, finishing 26-of-34 for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown.

ESPN @espnTHE LIONS HIT THE HOOK & LADDER FOR A RIDICULOUS 42-YARD TOUCHDOWN ✨

LIONS OC BEN JOHNSON IN HIS BAG ONCE AGAIN 🔥#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+

(via @Lions)pic.twitter.com/a7uIvaVNeg

ESPN @espnLions take their first lead of the game with the TD on fourth down 🔥

Amon-Ra’s celly 😂 pic.twitter.com/8jirxvays1

ESPN @espnJAHMYR GIBBS TURNED THE CORNER AND WAS GONE 🔥#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/pxevkrcQrx

Yes, the Lions are amazing on the offensive side of the ball.

And yes, they’ve been ravaged by injuries on defense, so it’s easy to understand why the struggles have emerged. But it’s become a big enough concern to put their Super Bowl aspirations in major jeopardy, as fans and pundits were quick to point out on social media:

Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandtSam Darnold watching the Lions’ defense so far: pic.twitter.com/zk4PZx1N52

Dan Hanzus @DanHanzusThere will be an absurd amount of pressure on the Lions offense in January. I’m not sure this works.

Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinsonThis game might not mean anything for playoff implications, but the #Lions defense shouldn’t get pushed around like that. Especially against a undermanned #49ers offense.

MarkMaske @MarkMaskeThe 49ers have four touchdowns and a missed field goal in five possessions so far tonight. The Lions are yet to really get a stop on defense. That has to be a major concern for a team with such major aspirations.

Chris @DaRuffWay_Lions offense is ridiculous.

Defense stinks though

AJAR @KingAjarLions defense at this point is “we make one stop” offense will take us home mode

DevynC2502 @OneeDC2502@Lions our defense gotta tighten up we gotta play Better on Defense Fellas ‼️‼️‼️

Guy N. Limbeck @PBglimbeckThis Lions pass defense is not good. The Vikings should be able to feast through the air.

Christopher Nelson @SportsguyNelsonThis MNF match up is turning out to be a great offensive shootout. But that being said, it really makes you wonder if the lions can truly keep up with the high powered offense alone. Their defense has to be able to make stops or they will not make it.

The Lions are incredibly fun to watch on offense and they are good enough to beat a number of teams in shootouts, as evidenced by their 14-2 record. But in the NFC, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings—and in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs—are far more balanced on both sides of the ball.

What happens if the Vikings or Eagles get more defensive stops in the playoffs and the defense can’t slow down those offenses? Can Detroit really bank on simply winning every playoff game on elite offense alone?

One of the oldest clichés in sports is that defenses win championships, and it persists for a reason. In the NFL, it’s perhaps more accurate to say that great quarterbacks aided by strong defenses win championships. But it’s pretty darn hard to reach the Super Bowl and win it without both components in place.