We know who the 49ers are playing in 2025
The result was familiar, but the performance was not for the 2024 San Francisco 49ers. For the 10th time, the San Francisco 49ers found themselves on the losing end, a 40-34 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
But the 49ers had some juice for them, at least on offense, which hasn’t been seen all season. Maybe it was the challenge of the offense having to perform with a duct-taped-together offensive line like Troy Aikman alluded to on the ESPN broadcast. Or perhaps it was to prevent getting boat-raced by a superior Lions team.
Regardless of the reason, San Francisco looked like a more than capable offense against a struggling Lions defense. One of those reasons, though, was something we learned about one of the 49ers rookies:
Ricky Pearsall has arrived
To say Pearsall’s rookie season has been a struggle would be a massive understatement. Although his preseason incident has been well-documented, the rookie has struggled to get involved even after recovering and getting back on the field.
Pearsall saw five targets for just one reception over the next four games after a career-high 73 yards and scoring his first career touchdown against the Buccaneers in Week 10. His inclusion in the offense had slightly increased over the last two games before Monday night, but against the Lions, Pearsall exploded with easily the best game of his season.
After 10 targets in the three previous games, Pearsall saw 10 against the Lions and rewarded Brock Purdy with eight receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers wasted little time getting Pearsall involved, with the rookie making his first completion on the sixth play from scrimmage. A few plays later, Pearsall would open the scoring with his second touchdown of the season, managing to break the plane with possession as he was being forced out of the end zone by Brian Branch.
Pearsall’s following catch might not have been for a score or the most significant gains, but it was easily the most impressive of the night. With San Francisco facing a third-and-4 nearing midfield, Purdy had to unleash a pass early with some pressure in his face. With the throw slightly out of reach, Pearsall reached his arm out to juggle the ball up and pulled it down with possession before getting both feet in bounds for a first down and a gain of 14.
The 49ers would take the first down and score a few plays later, as with Pearsall’s longest reception of the game. On the next drive, after his sideline acrobatics, Pearsall put on the burners, using some good play design to get past Terrion Arnold for a gain of 40. Two plays later, San Francisco would score their third touchdown of the first half.
Pearsall’s game could have been even bigger with both of Purdy’s interceptions targeting the rookie receiver. Nonetheless, Pearsall was getting open most of the night, and Purdy rewarded those efforts. Pearsall’s performance on Monday has me picturing what an offense with Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk running wide-open together could look like in 2025.
2025 opponents
In a sentence nobody thought would be said six months ago: the 49ers clinched last place in the NFC West with the loss on Monday night. And with the locking up of the cellar in the division, San Francisco clinched something much more important: a last-place 2025 schedule.
Take a look at just how juicy 2025 looks for a 49ers team on the prowl to make up for this season:
Home
NFC West
Road
NFC West
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not only do the 49ers get the chance to take advantage of the last-place teams in the NFC and the Cleveland Browns, but San Francisco also draws both the AFC and NFC South, two of the worst divisions season-to-season in recent years.
2024 has been a grind, but at minimum, the 49ers will enter next season with an advantage because of the struggles. Even with the Niners’ poor form this season, they are still in a weight class different from some of those opponents for next season. However, plenty can change between now and then, with free agency and the draft still to come.
While the 49ers’ schedule looks nice, the best way to ensure a successful 2025 is to make some necessary improvements that have plagued them for a few years.