Lions take down 49ers as Dan Campbell's 'full throttle' mindset saw starters play entire game

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The Detroit Lions technically didn’t need to win Monday night’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, begging the question of whether head coach Dan Campbell would pull his starters at some point in this game. 

But, as Campbell has shown us too many times in the past, he’s never going to let up no matter the situation. And after saying it will be "full throttle" on the West Coast this week, he meant it. 

The Lions took down the 49ers, 40-34, where the starters played throughout the game on both sides of the ball. 

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass against San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (IMAGN)

Detroit remembers well what happened in January at Levi’s Stadium, having blown a massive first-half lead in the NFC Championship Game. So, there was a bit of revenge in this one despite the 49ers being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. 

Jared Goff passed his way to three touchdowns, going 26-of-34 for 303 yards in another stellar performance for the Lions. He found Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but by far the best Lions touchdown was yet another lateral play that worked to perfection. 

Earlier this season, it was St. Brown dishing it back to Jahmyr Gibbs for the score against the Arizona Cardinals. Well, the same concept was used as St. Brown caught the quick slant from Goff, but the speedy Jameson Williams came behind him and took the ball to the house on a 41-yard run. 

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At that point, it was a 14-13