An entertaining game? In this economy? That's right, folks. The San Francisco 49ers played an entertaining football game. When it mattered none, they came to, if nothing else, entertain us in the first game since 1937 with 10-plus touchdowns and zero punts.
Here are three takeaways from the 49ers' 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Ricky Pearsall with his best game yet
It turns out this Ricky Pearsall guy actually might bring something to the table. Who could have... oh right. Folks, this is a premature victory lap in poor taste. But people wanted to count out Pearsall because they did not watch the tape, after a snow game, and a game in which he was injured (quietly) and in which the offense could not get anything going.
He, like many 49ers rookie receivers, is not the primary read in the 49ers offense. He was ignored in the progression behind Deebo Samuel, a player who cannot beat man coverage.
But he got his looks Monday night. For the first time this season, Pearsall was targeted more than six times, and he delivered. On 10 targets, Pearsall caught eight for 141 yards and a touchdown, included a one-handed toe drag reception. The only two incompletions were an overthrow and an undercut. He and George Kittle — who passed the 1,000-yard mark on the season for the fourth time in his career — were ever-present threats.
Pearsall also got a chance to throw the ball and threw it away intelligently. Football IQ, folks.
Brock Purdy lets it rip (for better and worse)
There was some level of intrigue over how the 49ers would attack the Detroit Lions defense. Detroit has been one of the most man coverage-heavy teams in the league, and that has destroyed the 49ers this season.
For the first half, Brock Purdy and the 49ers' offense shredded that defense. As has been a reoccurring theme this season, it did not continue in the second half. He finished 27-of-35 for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Purdy threw some dreadful interceptions, with both going to Kerby Joseph.
One came late through the third quarter on a Purdy overthrow, and the other came midway through the fourth quarter. On the second, Joseph, playing as the single-high safety, drove on the middle crosser for Pearsall after play action. It was a brilliant play by the safety and a telegraphed throw from Purdy. The second was a damning one, and all but secured the win for the Lions against a pathetic 49ers defense.
It was setting up as a game to feel positive about for Purdy, but turned into a nightmare. He will get paid by the 49ers this offseason, but some of his mistakes will be hard to stomach for the front office. He also left the game late in the fourth quarter with his right arm examined. He threw a few balls, then shook his head "no" and did not return.
Jake Moody's future is up in the air
Jake Moody missed one kick this season before suffering a high ankle sprain. Since then, he has been terrible. Moody is 10-for-18 on field goals and has made just one longer than 50 yards.
Monday night, he was dreadful once again. Moody pushed one from 51 yards, then seemed to overcompensate and pulled one from 58 to tie the game. And then... he missed an extra point and followed it up with a pathetic onsides kick attempt. It's hard to watch. He has cost the 49ers multiple times this season, and did it again Monday night. That will lead to questions and an exploration of alternatives this offseason.
Given his injury, where the 49ers are at this season, and the fact that he was effective for them in his rookie year (young kickers also tend to take time to reach their potential), I would expect the 49ers to retain him. I would also expect San Francisco to look at those alternatives and bring in some competition to compete with him going in training camp. His spot should not be fully secured.