The Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers have given fans some of the most exciting football in the NFC over the past two seasons. These two teams do not just play games, they play battles. Both squads are built around strong quarterbacks, fast skill players, and hard-hitting defenses. That is why every time they meet, fans search for player stats right after the final whistle.
In this article, we will look closely at the two most talked about meetings between the Lions and the 49ers: the 2023 NFC Championship Game and the Week 17 rematch in December 2024. We will break down passing numbers, rushing yards, receiving stats, and the small moments that decided each game. By the end, you will have a clear picture of how these two teams matched up, player by player.
A Rivalry Built on Big Moments
Before we get into the numbers, it helps to understand why these games mattered so much. In January 2024, the Lions and 49ers met in the NFC Championship Game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Detroit had not been that close to a title in decades, and the whole city was watching. San Francisco was the more experienced team, chasing back-to-back conference titles.
Less than a year later, in December 2024, the two teams met again during the regular season. This time, Detroit was chasing a perfect road record and home field advantage in the playoffs, while San Francisco was dealing with a season full of injuries. The stakes were different, but the intensity was the same.
Game 1: The 2023 NFC Championship Game
This game is still remembered as one of the most painful losses in Lions history, and one of the gutsiest comebacks in 49ers history. Detroit built a 24-7 lead at halftime, but San Francisco stormed back with 17 unanswered points in the third quarter and held on to win 34-31.
Here is how the key players performed that day.
Quarterback Stats
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | DET | 25/41 | 273 | 1 | 0 |
| Brock Purdy | SF | 20/31 | 267 | 1 | 1 |
Jared Goff moved the ball well early and gave Detroit the lead, but he could not find the same rhythm in the second half once San Francisco adjusted its coverage. Brock Purdy was quieter for most of the game but made the throws that mattered most when the 49ers needed them.
Rushing Stats
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Montgomery | DET | 15 | 93 | 1 |
| Christian McCaffrey | SF | 20 | 90 | 2 |
Christian McCaffrey was the difference maker in the run game. He did not just gain yards, he scored two touchdowns and wore down the Lions defense as the game went on. David Montgomery matched him yard for yard, but Detroit could not get him the ball enough in the second half.
Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam LaPorta | DET | 9 | 97 |
| Deebo Samuel | SF | 8 | 89 |
Sam LaPorta, still a rookie at the time, had a huge day and showed why he quickly became one of Goff’s favorite targets. Deebo Samuel gave San Francisco a mix of catches and tough yards after contact, which helped keep drives alive.
Defensive Standouts
Fred Warner led all players in tackles with 13, showing why he is one of the best linebackers in the league. Nick Bosa added two sacks for San Francisco, putting steady pressure on Goff in the second half. On the Detroit side, Alex Anzalone finished with nine tackles, doing his best to slow down McCaffrey and the 49ers ground game.
Game 2: Week 17, December 30, 2024
This game had a very different feel. Detroit was rolling through the season at 14-2, while San Francisco had fallen to 6-10 after a string of injuries. Still, the game turned into a shootout, and Detroit needed every bit of offense to come out on top, winning 40-34.
Quarterback Stats
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | DET | 26/34 | 303 | 3 | 0 |
| Brock Purdy | SF | 27/35 | 377 | 3 | 2 |
Both quarterbacks put up big numbers, but the two interceptions from Purdy in the second half made the biggest difference. Goff was almost perfect, completing over 76 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns without a single mistake.
Rushing Stats
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 18 | 117 | 1 |
Jahmyr Gibbs was the star of the ground game. He broke off a 30-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for Detroit. He also caught four passes for 46 more yards, showing just how much he does for the Lions offense.
Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Pearsall | SF | 8 | 141 | 1 |
| Jameson Williams | DET | Multiple | Explosive plays | 2 |
Ricky Pearsall had a breakout game for San Francisco, catching eight passes for 141 yards. Jameson Williams was the big play threat for Detroit, scoring two touchdowns, including one on a hook-and-ladder play that covered 42 yards.
Defensive Standouts
Kerby Joseph was the defensive player of the game for Detroit. He picked off Brock Purdy twice in the second half, and both turnovers helped stop 49ers comebacks. Without those two plays, the game could have gone the other way.
Comparing the Two Games
When you place these two games side by side, a few patterns stand out.
Jared Goff has been steady and efficient against San Francisco in both matchups. He has not thrown a single interception across these two games, which is rare against a defense as strong as San Francisco’s. His completion percentage was also very high in both games, showing he trusts his reads and gets the ball out fast.
Brock Purdy has been more explosive but also more turnover prone. His arm strength shows up in deep completions and big passing totals, but the interceptions in the Week 17 game were costly. That is often the difference between these two teams: Detroit protects the ball, and San Francisco sometimes gives it away at the wrong time.
On the ground, both teams lean on their running backs to control the game. Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs have both had big performances in these matchups, and both can also catch passes out of the backfield, which makes them hard to defend.
At receiver, Detroit’s group has stayed more consistent, with Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams both delivering big plays in different ways. San Francisco has shown that even without their top playmakers fully healthy, players like Ricky Pearsall can step up.
Why These Stats Matter
Fans do not just look at final scores. Player stats tell the real story of a game. They show who stepped up when it mattered, who struggled under pressure, and which matchups decided the outcome.
For fantasy football players, these numbers are useful too. Knowing that Jahmyr Gibbs and Christian McCaffrey both perform well in this matchup, or that Sam LaPorta tends to get plenty of targets, can help with lineup decisions in future meetings.
For fans following the bigger picture, these stats also show how each team has changed. San Francisco’s offense has stayed explosive, but turnovers have hurt them in both games. Detroit’s offense has grown more balanced, with strong performances from the run game, the passing game, and even trick plays like the hook-and-ladder.
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers have built a rivalry full of tight games and big plays. Whether it is Jared Goff’s steady passing, Christian McCaffrey’s power running, or Kerby Joseph’s clutch interceptions, both teams bring talent that shows up clearly in the box score.
If these two teams meet again, expect more of the same: high scoring, close finishes, and a handful of players stepping up to decide the game. Keep an eye on the quarterbacks’ turnover numbers and the running backs’ yardage totals, since those areas have shaped the outcome in both recent matchups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has better stats in the Lions vs 49ers rivalry, Jared Goff or Brock Purdy?
Jared Goff has been more consistent, with zero interceptions across the last two meetings. Brock Purdy has thrown for more total yards but has also thrown three interceptions in these same games, which has hurt San Francisco at key moments.
Which running back has performed best in these games?
Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs have both had strong outings. McCaffrey scored two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game, while Gibbs ran for 117 yards and a touchdown in the December 2024 meeting.
What was the final score of the last Lions vs 49ers game?
In their most recent meeting on December 30, 2024, the Detroit Lions beat the San Francisco 49ers 40-34 in a high scoring game at Santa Clara, California.
