'MNF' takeaways: Lions keep their foot on the gas in high-scoring win over 49ers

The Lions have scored at least 40 points in six games this season and averaged 37.5 points in four December games. With numerous defensive injuries, Detroit needs its offense to carry it to the finish line. It's done so all year and is playing its best at the season's most important time.

Lions' defensive concerns

The 49ers moved at will against the depleted Lions defense. San Francisco had 29 first downs and gained 475 yards — including 400 passing — in the six-point loss.

49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall had a career-high 141 yards (he entered Monday's game with 190 receiving yards in nine games), and tight end George Kittle ripped through the middle of Detroit's defense while gaining 112 yards on eight receptions.

The Lions flipped the game with two second-half interceptions. They'll need to be as opportunistic against the Vikings to avoid a disappointing finish to the regular season.

49ers kicker Jake Moody was a draft mistake that keeps getting worse

It didn't take hindsight to see that the 49ers made a terrible decision when they selected Moody with their third-round pick (No. 99 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Niners were criticized at the time for reaching for a kicker unnecessarily, and Moody's performance this season has validated those critiques.

He was already on thin ice after going 23-of-30 (76.7%) on his field goal attempts entering Week 17.

But Moody went from bad to perhaps unplayable after a nightmarish Monday night. He was 0-for-2 on field goals and also missed an extra point. In a six-point loss, those seven points would have been useful.

Can the 49ers have a quick turnaround in 2025?

San Francisco has been arguably the league's biggest disappointment. Entering Week 18, it is 5.5 wins below its over-under win total before the season, tied with the Jets (4-12) for the league's worst underperformance.

As bad as things have gone, the 49ers would be foolish to make wholesale changes this offseason. Getting wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey back from injury will help. San Francisco should also be able to improve its 2-6 record in one-score games this season.

Best of all, its last-place NFC West finish secures what should be a favorite schedule in 2025, with games against the Browns (3-13), Giants (3-13) and Bears (4-12), along with playing the weak AFC and NFC South.

The 49ers are down, but they'll be back soon.