Lions vs. 49ers score, live updates: Detroit looks to build some momentum in Monday Night Football season finale

On By Littum

The Detroit Lions franchise is in an unknown position as the 2024 season ends. Next Sunday, they take on the Vikings for all NFC (regular-season) bowls in the first-ever season of 13-plus wins. But before that home send-off for the season, they’re in San Francisco on Monday night to take on a 49ers team that has limped through an injury-plagued season to the finish line.

It seems like every position group in San Francisco has been decimated at one point or another this season due to injury, and in Week 17 it’s on the offensive line. Three starters — Aaron Banks, Spencer Burford and Colton McKivitz — are on the injury report heading into this week, with Banks and Burford out of practice and McKivitz a limited participant.

Barring a tie in next week’s Lions-Vikings game, tonight’s outcome will have no bearing on the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The winner of next week’s Lions-Vikings matchup in Detroit will secure the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Head coach Dan Campbell says the Lions are “bring everything (they have) to this game,” and will not rest any starters.

Live12 updates

  • 3 49ers drives, 3 49ers TDs

    San Franciso’s offense is off to its best start of the season. The 49ers now have a 21-13 lead after their third touchdown in three drives. Ricky Pearsall set this one up with a 40-yard grab from Brock Purdy before Purdy ran it in himself from nine yards out.

    Not a good sign for a battered Lions defense on the brink of the playoffs.

  • Jameson Williams is Dangerous Part II

    There is no substitute for speed. Jameson Williams just scored his second touchdown of the night on a third-and-12 hook and lateral from Amon-Ra. St. Brown. The 49ers’ defenders didn’t stand a chance as Williams sprinted down the sideline for a 42-yard score.

    Ben Johnson’s wizardry strikes again, but begs the question: why not save this for the playoffs? But Johnson certainly has plenty of other tricks up his sleeve for the postseason.

    49ers 14, Lions 13 early in second quarter.

  • Nick Bosa gets fired, could get hurt

    Nick Bosa just sacked Jared Goff on first-and-20, but is in the sideline medical tent after taking a friendly fire helmet-to-helmet hit on the sack.

  • 49ers score again

    That’s two touchdowns in two drives for the 49ers, and fans in Santa Clara are wondering where this offense has been all season. Brock Purdy finds Kyle Juszczyk for a nine-yard catch-and-rumble through the Lions secondary for the score. 49ers 14, Lions 6 early in second quarter.

  • Ricky Pearsall makes another great catch

    Ricky Pearsall is a good player. After securing the contested touchdown catch on San Francisco’s first drive, he just kept a drive alive with this catch, complete with a self-tip and toe-drag near the sideline on third down.

    After a gunshot wound derailed the start of his career, Pearsall showed promise late in the season and could become an integral part of San Francisco’s offense in 2025.

  • Lions answer

    Jameson Williams is a weapon. The Lions wide receiver took an end-around untouched into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown run. He makes plays all over the field with his speed. Got a nice block by Sam LaPorta on the score.

    The 49ers blocked the ensuing extra point and lead, 7-6 after one possession for each team.

  • 49ers strike first

    San Francisco came to play. The 49ers ran a trick play and then converted on fourth down inside the 10 to set up first-and-10. They paid it off with a second-down touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Ricky Pearsall that required replay help to confirm. 49ers 7, Lions 0 after opening drive.

  • We are underway. The Lions won the toss and punted, and the 49ers received the opening kickoff. San Francisco starts the game on offense at its own 39-yard line.

  • Teddy Bridgewater warming up as Detroit’s emergency quarterback:

  • Barring a tie in next week’s Lions-Vikings showdown, tonight’s outcome doesn’t matter in the race for the No. 1 seed. Thanks to an earlier win over the Vikings, the Lions hold the tiebreaker edge over Minnesota and will secure the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC if both teams finish with a 14-3 record — a result that would result from a Lions losing tonight and winning next week.

    The loser of next week’s match will be relegated to no. 5 seed and a first round road game in the postseason.

    A loss by the Lions tonight would only come into play in the event of a draw next week. In that case, the Vikings would finish 14-2-1, ahead of the 13-3-1 Lions in the standings.

  • Lions inactive: Teddy Bridgewater is emergency QB

    Fresh off coaching his high school alma mater to a state championship, Teddy Bridgewater will make his 2024 debut with the Lions as their emergency quarterback. Bridgewater signed his second stint with the Lions last week and is highly unlikely to see the field Monday night.

  • Ji’Ayir Brown, Colton McKivitz active for 49ers

    There are no surprises with San Francisco’s inactives. Starting right tackle Colton McKivitz will play after being listed as questionable with a knee injury. As was starting safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who was previously questionable with an ankle injury.