The Detroit Lions had a tough but ultimately significant victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. While the game wasn’t pretty, it held deep meaning for the team, as they moved one step closer to solidifying their place as a force in the NFL. After reviewing the game, here are our six winners and three losers from the contest:

Winners

Jared Goff Jared Goff is playing out of his mind right now, and it’s a real shame that his brilliance is being overshadowed by flashier quarterbacks like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson in the MVP race. Goff was in complete control on Monday night, completing 76.5% of his passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns. This marks the eighth time this season that Goff has completed over 75% of his passes in a game—a testament to his efficiency and poise. Goff continues to prove that he’s a top-tier quarterback, and while he may not have the same flash as some of the others, his consistency and impact on the field speak volumes.

Jahmyr Gibbs Jahmyr Gibbs continues to defy expectations as a dynamic and well-rounded running back. Despite some initial doubts about his ability to thrive between the tackles, Gibbs showed on Monday night that he can do it all. He finished the game with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging an impressive 6.5 yards per carry. On top of that, Gibbs added 46 receiving yards on four receptions, showcasing his versatility and value to the offense. The 12th overall pick has proven his worth time and time again, and this performance was just another example of why he was such a great addition to the team.

Jameson Williams Jameson Williams has vastly exceeded expectations in his first full season, and his performance against the 49ers was another example of his growth. Williams was everywhere on the field, contributing as a receiver, runner, and blocker. He finished with five catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. The young wide receiver’s progression this season has been a bright spot for the Lions, and it’s exciting to think about the potential he has moving forward.

Kerby Joseph Kerby Joseph is a defensive star who deserves to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. His two interceptions in Monday night’s game brought him to a league-leading nine for the season, solidifying his place as one of the top safeties in the NFL. Joseph has been a consistent playmaker all year, and his ability to make crucial stops and turnovers is invaluable to the Lions’ defense. When you combine his ball-hawking skills with his overall leadership on the field, there’s no question that he’s among the best at his position.

Aaron Glenn Lions fans were quick to point fingers at defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn when the team allowed 21 points in the first half, but Glenn made the necessary adjustments in the second half. The Lions only allowed one touchdown in the final two quarters—two if you count the Josh Dobbs touchdown with seconds left in the game when Detroit was in prevent defense. It wasn’t just the interceptions that changed the game; the Lions’ pass rush started to generate more pressure, which directly led to those turnovers and forced a long field goal attempt that ultimately missed. Credit should be given to Glenn for his ability to make adjustments and rally his defense when it mattered most.

Amik Robertson Amik Robertson was a standout in the Lions’ secondary, particularly in a game where other players allowed a little too much. Robertson was targeted six times but only allowed two catches for 21 yards, a remarkable feat against a high-powered offense like the 49ers. He also had a crucial pass breakup that helped set up a missed field goal attempt, further showcasing his ability to step up when needed. Robertson’s performance on the outside has been impressive all season, and he continues to prove his worth as a reliable cornerback.

Losers

Jalen Reeves-Maybin Jalen Reeves-Maybin made his return to action after being sidelined since early November, but his performance was far from his best. While it’s understandable that he may have been a little rusty, his struggles were evident throughout the game. Missed tackles and poor coverage hurt the Lions at critical moments, and he didn’t make the impact that the team needed from him. However, given his talent and past performances, it’s reasonable to expect that he’ll bounce back in future games.

Brian Branch Brian Branch had a solid game from a play standpoint, but he made a costly mistake in the fourth quarter when he got involved in some extracurricular activities with JaJuan Jennings after the whistle. While it’s clear that Branch was retaliating for what Jennings had done to Terrion Arnold earlier in the game, his actions ultimately cost the Lions a chance to force a punt on the next play. Instead, the penalty gave the 49ers a free first down. Thankfully, Kerby Joseph’s interception on the very next play minimized the damage, but it’s a lesson that you can’t let emotions dictate your actions on the field. The second guy always gets caught, and Branch’s mistake was a costly one.

Terrion Arnold Terrion Arnold had what was arguably his worst game in the NFL. Although there was a weird moment earlier in the game when JaJuan Jennings choked him, Arnold was simply not himself in this one. He was targeted six times and allowed six receptions for 94 yards. It was a rough outing for Arnold, but given his potential and skill set, there’s little doubt that he’ll bounce back and improve in future games. Sometimes even the best players have off nights, and this was one of those games for Arnold.

Despite these individual setbacks, the Lions were able to secure a crucial win. With their combination of high performers and areas for improvement, Detroit continues to show that they are a team to watch in the playoff race.