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Detroit Lions had five major winners (and one big loss) in their Week 17 triumph over the 49ers…

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Here are the winners and losers of the Lions’ Week 17 victory over the 49ers.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell clarified the team’s strategy for Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, despite the game being viewed as meaningless by many. Aside from any vengeance for last year’s NFC Championship Game defeat, the Lions were going to go all out to win.

And they did it, outscoring San Francisco 27-13 in the second half to claim their 14th win of the season and remain undefeated (8-0) on the road. Perhaps most significantly, with everything on the line in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, no new players were added to an already extensive list of injuries.

Without further ado, here are the Lions’ greatest winners and losers in Week 17 against the 49ers.

The Lions’ victory over the 49ers produced five victors (and one large loss).

Winner: Jameson Williams.

Williams didn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards for the season on Monday night (five catches for 77 yards), but he did score a touchdown on a hook-and-ladder and a running touchdown.

Williams’ development as a more complete receiver this season was also evident on Monday night, as observed by Troy Aikman during the broadcast.

Loser: Defense.

Let us get the one loser out of the way.

This might be broken down into smaller elements, but let’s start wide and discuss the Lions’ defense. On Monday night, safety Kerby Joseph made two interceptions, which was a nice thing. Both of them followed rash penalties by safety partner Brian Branch, preventing the 49ers offense from getting going in the second half.

However, allowing 475 yards of offense and 34 points while recording zero sacks for the most of the game (against an offensive line loaded with replacements) will not suffice moving forward. Despite allowing 4.2 yards per carry on the ground, the 49ers abandoned the run in the second half.

The pass defense also had much to be desired. George Kittle (eight catches for 112 yards) and Ricky Pearsall (eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown) could not be stopped. All levels of pass coverage failed on Monday night. In terms of points allowed, the Lions were saved by 49ers kicker Jake Moody, who missed two field goals and an extra point.

Winner: Jared Goff

Goff was outstanding again on Monday night, finishing 26 of 34 for 303 yards and three touchdowns with a 132.4 passing rating. Since throwing five interceptions against the Houston Texans in Week 10, he has led the league in passing yards, touchdowns, passer rating, EPA per dropback, and EPA on all dropbacks.

Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs had another strong performance as the Lions’ lead back on Monday night, with 163 yards from scrimmage (18 carries for 117 yards and a score; four receptions for 46 yards), as he made several key plays to jumpstart the offense.

The Lions did not rest anybody, but as in Week 16, they did take advantage of certain opportunities to give Gibbs a break in order to keep him as fresh as possible moving forward. That’s the right strategy, and they’ve made it apparent with David Montgomery out.

Winner: Kerby Joseph.

It felt like Joseph was due for an interception, with his previous one coming in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the Lions have failed to produce takeaways during that time.

With the Lions struggling to produce stops against the 49ers’ offense, and following a defensive pass interference call by Brian Branch, Joseph made a timely play.

Joseph intercepted his second pass of the game halfway through the fourth quarter, following Branch’s dumb unnecessary roughness call. He currently leads the league with nine for the season.

Winner: Jake Bates

The 49ers blocked Bates’ first extra point try, and he missed his final effort of the night. But he scored field goals of 57 and 42 yards in between, and before the 42-yarder, he had the night’s most viral moment when he was seen on the sideline in an unusual stretching posture. According to Awful Announcing, it “launched a thousand memes.”

ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters provided an explanation. Apparently, Bates was laying on a “softball” (which is not seen) to work out a little problem with his left hip. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were amused.

After the game, Bates described it as “normal stretching” (as in, had he done it before? On the field during a game like that?” While long snapper Hogan Hatten agreed that ESPN cameras gave the Lions’ kicker no favors.

Bates set a team record for points in a season and created a viral moment during the Lions’ Week 17 triumph, firmly placing him in the winner’s column.

 

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