The 49ers finally got a breakout kind of game from rookie Ricky Pearsall in prime time at home against the Lions.
The outcome of Monday Night Football's game between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions only mattered in next April's NFL Draft order, given the eliminated Niners are focused on wrapping up 2024 and looking forward to the offseason.
And Detroit's hopes for an NFC North crown and the top seed in the conference hinge entirely on Week 18's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
That said, Monday night's primetime affair was nevertheless exciting with San Francisco ultimately losing 40-34 to go to 6-10 on the season.
One of the 49ers' most exciting players was the first-round rookie, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Ricky Pearsall has breakout performance vs. Lions on Monday Night Football
Pearsall, who endured a gunshot wound just before the regular season began, finally made his NFL debut in Week 7 and then recorded his first pro touchdown a few weeks later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.
Since then, though, the rookie has been relatively quiet, possibly suggesting the Niners whiffed on yet another top pick in the draft.
However, in light of the many injuries San Francisco has suffered on offense this season, Pearsall finally got a chance to shine under the bright lights at Levi's Stadium, helping the 49ers get on the board first against the Lions with a 3-yard touchdown from quarterback Brock Purdy:
After review, this play is confirmed a TD! Purdy ➡️ Pearsall for the score.
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MsJmGIFuFM
Prior to that play, the receiver had just the one score and boasted only 190 yards over nine games played.
Later in the quarter, though, Pearsall brought down a one-handed grab on one of the more impressive receptions the Niners have seen this season, showcasing the kind of playmaking talent he enjoyed during his days with the Florida Gators:
Ricky Pearsall juggles it and secures it for the catch!
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/UJJH8eWh31
San Francisco's top pick from the 2024 draft finished Monday's game with obvious career-bests: eight catches for 141 yards and the touchdown.
About the only thing that went wrong was an incomplete pass from Pearsall on a would-be trick play, but no one is going to care about that.
So, while the 49ers' season has completely fallen apart, at least the future is starting to look brighter with their top offseason investment starting to catch on.