Someone needs to call Vivian Green because the Lions vs. 49ers game was nothing short of an “emotional roller coaster” from start to finish. Unfortunately for the Lions, it ended with a 41-33 loss.
For nearly the entire game, the 49ers had the Lions’ number. Their offense did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
Jimmy Garoppolo had a sensation game, throwing for 314 yards and one touchdown. Deebo Samuel was his primary target, grabbing eight receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown. Rookie Elijah Mitchell also had himself an incredible day. Mitchell rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown in his NFL debut.
It was a complete “ownage” by the 49ers. And this was on both sides of the ball. The 49ers’ defense “put hands on” Jared Goff nine times, sacking him three. Not to forget, Dre Greenlaw got a pick-six off Goff as well.
At one point, the score was 41-17. And it was seemingly all but over. That type of score is when most teams typically call it quits.
Then something happened. Something damn near magical. The gong sound in Ford Field, synonymous with WWE Legend, The Undertaker, rang.
And just like The Undertaker, the Lions sat up on Ford Field to orchestrate a comeback. With 1:53 left in the 4th quarter, Jamaal Williams scored on a one-yard run. The Lions then successfully recovered the onside kick, which set up an eventual Quintez Cephus touchdown with 1:13 left in the game.
Then the unthinkable happened. The Lions forced a late fumble, which they recovered. And with excellent field position, it appeared the Lions were well on their way to potentially stealing a game.
Unfortunately, for the Lions, that didn’t happen. And the game ended with Goff on his back.
While the Lions did not get the W they wanted, Jared Goff played particularly well down the stretch after a rough start. He threw for 338 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. As expected, his main target, T.J. Hockenson, delivered.
He caught a career-high eight receptions while adding 97 yards and a touchdown to go with it.
One thing to mention is how many times Goff threw the ball vs. the 49ers. Goff threw 57 passes, and head coach Dan Campbell stated that isn’t Lions football.
“You throw the ball 57 times, that’s not our game man. We’re not going to win a lot of those games,” said Campbell. “Now, we had a chance. We gave ourselves a chance, but we have to eliminate all the little stuff. There’s going to be so much stuff to clean up on that tape.”
Despite that, the Lions now have another big problem.
Another blow worth noting is that the Lions are feel that cornerback Jeff Okudah suffered an Achilles injury. The second-year cornerback left the game early in the fourth quarter, and required assistance.
“Yeah, we’re checking him out now,” said Campbell. “We know obviously it’s somewhere around the ankle, could be Achilles. We’ll know a lot more this afternoon, hopefully, or tomorrow morning.”
Next up for the Lions is heading to Green Bay to face the division-rival Packers. And that will be on none other than Monday Night Football. The kick-off is September 20th at 8:15 p.m.
Follow Kory Woods on Twitter at KoryEWoods.