The 49ers enter Week 17 on a two-game losing streak. When they play the Lions, they are ready to raise it to three. The 49ers will lose to the Lions for the following three reasons.
Inspiration
Since the schedule was made public, the Lions have probably been circling the game on Monday night. It was terrible for them to lose to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game after leading 24–7 at halftime. In this game, they will try to make up for that. Although there won’t be complete gratification because it’s not a playoff game, they still want to make their point. Additionally, given the 49ers’ decline this season, the Lions can use this game to let them know that they will no longer be the 49ers’ main rival in the NFC going forward.
Brock Purdy will be uncomfortable
Brock Purdy will find it difficult to establish a rhythm when facing the Lions. The Lions have dominated on 41.1 percent of dropbacks since Week 7, which is the second-highest percentage in the league. The 49ers have given up pressure on 50.3% of blitzes they have encountered, which is the fifth-highest percentage in the league. Only six teams permit pressure on more than half of the blitzes they have encountered, and they are among them. With guys out and injured, the 49ers’ offensive line is also pummelling. Detroit will send the house and prevent Purdy from ever feeling at ease.
Jared Goff will be comfortable
Jared Goff will feel at ease with no blitzes, whereas Purdy will feel uneasy with a lot of them. The 49ers have blitzed at the second-lowest rate in the league so far this season (18.2 percent) going into Week 17, which is the lowest since at least 2018. Goff has completed 72.0 percent of his throws (third-highest) and amassed the second-most yards per attempt (8.5) when not blitzed this season. He won’t have many problems and will have all day to toss.