49ers lose NFC Championship rematch: Rapid reactions

It didn't end the way the 2023 NFC Championship Game did. And it didn't end the way the San Francisco 49ers wanted it to, as the team lost to the Detroit Lions 40-34 on Monday night. It was a fun game that the 49ers should have won, but some brutal mistakes did them in, much like several other games this season.

Here are my rapid reactions. These are my live responses as the game unfolded. There may be some negative comments directed at a certain kicker from Michigan. So if you're a fan or a family member of that kicker, read at your own risk.

• Deebo Samuel looks great on this first drive. I like that he is still giving it his all. Good for him.
• I love watching Jauan Jennings block poor, unsuspecting defensive backs.

• Excellent opening drive for a touchdown. Nice throw and catch by Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers must do that about six more times to win this game. I don't see the defense slowing down Detroit's offense.
• Now Jake Moody can't kick the ball to the end zone. What's wrong with this guy?
• Isaac Yiadom can't tackle. And he can't cover that well, either. The 49ers are already missing Charvarius Ward tonight.
• Fred Warner. Elite linebacker.
• The 49ers run defense sucks. I realize they're facing the best offense in football, but that first Lions' drive wasn't even competitive.
• Nice block by Jordan Elliott on the PAT. It's rare to see the special teams unit do something positive.

• What a catch by Pearsall.

• Isaac Guerendo gets better each game he plays. But he needs better vision. If he can improve in that area, he can be a weapon for this team.
• George Kittle, future Hall of Famer.

• Two drives. Two touchdowns. Kyle Shanahan is on his game right now. It's like he's sick of hearing people say he needs to be replaced by Ben Johnson.
• Charlie Heck and Nick Zakelj are playing really well so far.
• The 49ers defense cannot stop the run, and I'm not sure they could if they had 15 players on the field.
• Dee Winters is smacking people out there. He reminds me a lot of Dre Greenlaw.
• Nick Bosa is playing like his hair is on fire.
• I hate watching Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles play. He's terrible.
• Nick Sorensen is getting worked by Johnson. Not that I expected anything different.
• Pearsall is easily having his best game.

• Purdy has been incredible so far.
• Great fourth down stop by the 49ers defense. Renardo Green made the play. San Francisco's rookie class is showing off tonight.

• There's the 2024 49ers. A penalty that kills a potential touchdown drive. That could be one right why Jacob Cowing hasn't played much on offense.
• I've seen enough of Moody. Yet another missed field goal. It's unreal.
• Two big reasons why the 49ers are missing the postseason showed up on that possession: Drive-killing mistakes and special teams miscues.
• Four Detroit drives and the 49ers have stopped them only once.
• Purdy to Pearsall has been electric tonight.

• Bosa again. He's been great in this game.

• Horrible throw by Purdy on that interception. And that may do it because the 49ers rarely win when they lose the turnover battle.
• The cameras just caught John Lynch demonstrably frustrated after the 49ers defense gave up the lead.

• Kittle is unstoppable. Man, I love that guy.
• It's probably a good idea to cover the other team's Pro Bowl tight end on fourth down.
• Sorensen's defense is pathetic.
• Once again, the 49ers fold in the final quarter.

• I hope Purdy is ok. He's out of the game and looks like he's struggling to grip the ball.
• Look at Joshua Dobbs moving the ball. Good to see him making the most of his opportunity.
• Did Moody really just miss an extra-point attempt? I'm stunned by how bad he's been this season. He has some major yips.
• Wow, Moody just kicked the onside kick out of bounds. He needs to be somewhere else in 2025.

The offense was great, but the two interceptions were back-breakers. And the defense was awful on almost every single drive. The 49ers lost by six points. Moody missed seven points worth of kicks. (Insert the angry Lynch video here again)

Up next, the 49ers travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals in the last game of the season. It's almost time to put a fork in a horrible 2024. Who's ready for the offseason?

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