49ERS' PRO BOWLER WANTS TEAM TO ACQUIRE RAIDERS' $94 MILLION STAR

Las Vegas Raiders' edge rusher Maxx Crosby reacts after a play in the third quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers

The San Francisco 49ers 2025 offseason just got a bit spicier. Tabling the Brock Purdy contract talk for a minute, it looked as if San Francisco would not be able to make a big splash in free agency or the trade market. While the 49ers can certainly retain some big names such as Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, the odds they are big players feel slim even with $50 million in cap space. However, one 49ers’ Pro Bowl is advocating for the team to acquire a perennial defensive player of the year candidate.

49ers Star Advocating to Acquire DPOY Candidate

During the NFL’s Divisional Round playoffs, San Francisco 49ers’ cornerback Deommodore Lenoir took to social media, sharing his desire for the team to acquire Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive lineman Maxx Crosby.

Max Crosby would look crazy in a Niners Jersey🔥

— Deommodore lenoir (@Dmo_lenoir) January 19, 2025

The post sparked instant conversation amongst the fan base, with members of the “Faithful” in agreement with Lenoir.

San Francisco has other needs, like rebuilding the interior offensive line or finding a dominant defensive tackle. But imagining the damage Crosby could inflict playing opposite Nick Bosa is tantalizing.

Crosby, a former Raiders’ fourth-round pick, has been one of the most dominant and consistent edge rushers since entering the league. With three double-digit sack seasons to his name, Crosby ranks sixth among sacks in 2019 — two spots behind Bosa. Add in nine forced fumbles and 423 total pressures in six seasons, the Eastern Michigan product is known as one of the more dangerous players to face off against.

Lenoir’s comments are not the first time Crosby has been linked to the San Francisco 49ers. Due to general manager John Lynch’s propensity for making splash moves at the trade deadline, Crosby’s name was floated around. A trade never came to be, but Crosby has not been shy about his potentially fading future in Silver and Black.

Crosby Open to a Trade?

On Friday, Crosby joined Good Morning Football, sharing his thoughts on trade rumors involving his name.

“Yeah, I see all those things. Right now, I am just focusing on my process and day-to-day getting healthy. We are going to see what happens with the coaching situation. I have been with the Raiders for six years, and I’m currently under contract. I talked about it before, I have no guaranteed money left. There are a lot of things that need to be discussed. We are going to do that.”

Crosby added he is happy but has been persistent about his desire to win a Super Bowl. If the Las Vegas Raiders undergo another rebuild, trading Crosby could result in a win-win scenario, barring San Francisco’s involvement.

Acquiring Crosby will not be cheap, with the asking price starting at a first-round pick and more. However, the 49ers have plenty to offer. Possessing the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers can afford to be aggressive. Lest we forget, the last time San Francisco picked outside the top ten, they mortgaged their future to select Trey Lance.

Unlike Lance, Maxx Crosby is a proven star and can help the 49ers win now. If San Francisco is serious about maximizing their window, they will, at least, consider making a move.

According to Over the Cap, Maxx Crosby is under contract through 2026, and any acquiring team would owe Crosby $42.8 million. Nevertheless, his contract has no guaranteed money left, making it much easier to swallow. With three void years in his deal, the 49ers could also extend him and lower his 2025 and 2026 cap hits.

If there is one acquisition the 49ers should make this offseason, it is trading for Maxx Crosby. He is a game-changing player, would pair well with Nick Bosa, and could push San Francisco over the top.

- Sterling Bennett

LIONS SECURE 8-0 ROAD RECORD WITH WIN OVER 49ERS

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- If there was any question on whether Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell would play or rest his starters ahead of the playoffs, he answered that immediately by going full throttle with his top guys on Monday night.

In a rematch of 2023 NFC Championship Game, the Lions got revenge, winning 40-34 after the San Francisco 49ers denied Detroit its first-ever Super Bowl appearance last season.

Detroit hadn't won a road game at San Francisco since 1975, losing 14 straight -- including the postseason -- but overcame a 21-13 first-half deficit to end that road drought against the 49ers.

The Lions also close the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record on the road -- the longest road winning streak in franchise history.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the team to their eight road win this season. Jed Jacobsohn/AP Photo

Detroit Lions (14-2)

QB breakdown: Lions quarterback Jared Goff was able to thrive in pressure moments on the prime-time stage. All three of Goff's touchdowns were on either third or fourth down. He now has 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions on third and fourth down this season. He also finished the game with 303 passing yards against the 49ers, while completing 26 of 34 passes.

Promising trend: WR Jameson Williams scored a receiving touchdown for a third straight game. Against the 49ers, he scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown as well as a 41-yard receiving touchdown in the first half. In last season's NFC championship at the 49ers, Williams also had multiple touchdowns. He is now 33 yards shy of the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career.

Troubling trend: Detroit's defense. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy picked the Lions' defense apart with his accuracy and pinpoint playmaking, notably during the first half. The 49ers scored a touchdown on their first three possessions, with Purdy also completing two 40-yard passes in the game. Against tougher competition, such as the Minnesota Vikings this week, this could be a major issue. -- Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)

George Kittle reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career -- tied for second most by a tight end in NFL history. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo

San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

In an NFC Championship Game rematch that was supposed to be a battle of NFC titans, the 49ers and Lions entered Monday's matchup headed in decidedly different directions.

As 49ers end Nick Bosa succinctly put it on Thursday, "They're doing great, and we had an off year."

By Monday's kickoff, neither the 49ers nor the Lions really had much to play for as San Francisco was eliminated from postseason contention last week and Detroit's season finale against Minnesota is all that matters for the NFC's top seed.

That didn't stop the Niners, who were down to their fourth-string running back and left tackle and were missing key starters all over the roster, from pushing the equally if not more injured Lions to the brink in an entertaining offensive shootout.

There's no such thing as moral victories in the NFL, but Monday's defeat offered plenty of evidence that there is still plenty of fight left in the Niners and that their belief in coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't wavered. Those are things that can be helpful as they head toward an offseason that holds plenty of uncertainty and could bring a lot of change.

In more practical terms, Monday's loss is better for the 6-10 Niners in that it clinched a last-place schedule for them in 2025 and maintains their chances of holding on to the No. 11 pick in the next NFL draft.

Those are small consolations in a lost season that the 49ers didn't see coming, but if nothing else, they can take additional solace in the fact that a nightmare 2024 is almost over.

Describe the game in two words: All offense. It's little surprise that the high-octane Lions moved the ball up and down the field, but the 49ers' offense hasn't done much of that this season. The Niners and Lions scored touchdowns on their first five possessions combined and there wasn't an incomplete pass thrown by either side until 4:59 remained in the second quarter. By night's end, they combined for 74 points and 914 yards.

Most surprising performance: 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall has been mostly quiet since a big Week 10 performance in Tampa Bay, posting six catches for 58 yards in the ensuing six games. But Pearsall was prominently in the mix Monday night, finishing with 8 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. He's the first 49ers rookie since Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2019 to have 100 receiving yards and a score in a game.

QB breakdown: Purdy was, at least statistically, perfect for the better part of the first three quarters Monday night against the Lions. Holding a "perfect" passer rating of 158.3 with 4:19 left in the third quarter, Purdy overthrew Pearsall into the waiting arms of Lions safety Kerby Joseph for the game's first turnover. It put a damper on an otherwise stellar performance from Purdy, who finished 27-of-35 for 377 yards (a career high) with three touchdowns and a rushing score. In the final two minutes of the game, Purdy exited with an apparent elbow injury. He said postgame that he will have an MRI on Tuesday.

Troubling trend: 49ers kicker Jake Moody's struggles -- of which there have been many -- have largely been limited to the road this season. He hadn't missed a field goal or extra point attempt at Levi's Stadium. Until Monday night. He missed two field goals from over 50 yards (51 and 58). Moody was drafted in the third round because he's supposed to be able to convert those kicks. He also missed an extra point at the end of the fourth quarter. Since Week 10, he's 10-of-18 on field goal tries, a 55.6% conversion rate. Add kicker to the list of positions the 49ers will need to take a long look at in the offseason. -- Nick Wagoner

Next game: at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

- Eric Woodyard and Nick Wagoner

SLEEPER PICKS TO SUPERSTARS: DAY 3'S TOP SUCCESS STORIES

Brock Purdy, the "Mr. Irrelevant" of the 2022 NFL Draft, has become the latest in a long line of stars picked on Day Three. Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports

 Every year, the NFL draft provides teams with blue-chip prospects that immediately make their mark in the league.

But the draft doesn't end Thursday night. Undervalued talent abounds in the later rounds, with smart teams picking up key players to little fanfare.

Here's a look at some of the best players selected on Day 3 -- Rounds 4 through 7 -- of the draft since the seven-round format was adopted in 1994.

Brock Purdy

Draft year: 2022

Pick No. 262

Few active NFL players have a story quite like Purdy, who was selected with the final pick of the 2022 draft. "Mr. Irrelevant" -- as the draft's last pick is dubbed each year -- quickly proved to be quite relevant for the San Francisco 49ers. Injuries caused the Iowa State Cyclones product to rise to a starting role, where he helped lead the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.

Purdy took over as full-time starter in his second season and rewarded the 49ers faith in him with a 12-4 regular-season record and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Draft year: 2021

Pick No. 112

St. Brown has never shied away from his status as a player who slipped down draft boards, with the former USC Trojan once reciting all 16 wide receivers drafted ahead of him from memory.

Now part of the Detroit Lions, St. Brown's career has continually improved over the past three years. After emerging as a starter during his rookie season, St. Brown has caught 100-plus passes each of the past two seasons, earning an All-Pro nod this past fall.

George Kittle

Draft year: 2017

Pick No. 146

A product of the Iowa Hawkeyes' tight-end factory, Kittle's statistical résumé in college didn't turn heads -- 48 catches and 10 touchdowns, mostly across his final two seasons. But the eventual fifth-round pick did make a name for his stellar blocking.

The San Francisco 49ers got far more than quality blocking out of Kittle, as he developed into one of the best tight-ends in the league. He has made five Pro Bowls and caught 460 passes and 37 touchdowns across seven seasons in the league.

A fifth-round selection in 2017, George Kittle has emerged as one of the NFL's top tight ends in San Francisco. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Tyreek Hill

Draft year: 2016

Pick No. 165

Now one of the most electrifying receivers in the NFL, Hill played for three different colleges before eventually landing in the 2016 NFL draft. A fifth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill's blazing speed helped him quickly carve out a role on one of the league's top teams.

Currently with the Miami Dolphins, Hill has made the Pro Bowl every year he's been in the NFL (though his selection in 2016 was as a return specialist, not a wide receiver) and was a key part in Kansas City's 2019 Super Bowl victory.

Stefon Diggs

Draft year: 2015

Pick No. 146

Diggs was a three-year standout with the Maryland Terrapins, catching 14 touchdowns during his career in College Park. The Minnesota Vikings picked him up in the fifth round, and it took Diggs less than a season to work his way into the team's receiving rotation. He'd ascend to an every-game starter and then star, eventually moving to the Buffalo Bills, where he'd string together four consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns. Diggs is now on the move once more, joining C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans this offseason with over 800 career receptions under his belt.

Richard Sherman

Draft year: 2011

Pick No. 154

One of the most feared defenses in NFL history was built in large part with Day Three selections. The "Legion of Boom" Seattle Seahawks were a nightmare for opposing offenses, helping the Seahawks lift the Lombardi Trophy in 2013. Among the most important members of the Legion was cornerback, who was the 24th cornerback taken in the 2011 draft out of Stanford.

Richard Sherman

Draft year: 2011

Pick No. 191

The recently retired Kelce leaves behind a long track record of stellar play with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Cincinnati Bearcat rewarded the team that took him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. He had 193 career starts across a 13-year career that included six All-Pro nods and a Super Bowl in 2018.

Jason Kelce's long career with the Philadelphia Eagles started with the organization selecting him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Jahri Evans

Draft year: 2006

Pick No. 108

Evans entered the 2006 NFL draft with a low profile, having plied his trade at the collegiate level for Division II Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. However, he wasted no time establishing himself as a mainstay for the New Orleans Saints once joining the team, starting all 16 games as a rookie.

Evans would go on to start 169 games in New Orleans, including a stretch of six consecutive Pro Bowl seasons from 2009 to 2014. He also helped the Saints capture Super Bowl XLIV.

Jared Allen

Draft year: 2004

Pick No. 126

An Idaho State Bengals alum, Allen entered the draft on the back of a mammoth senior campaign that included 17.5 sacks and over 100 tackles.

Allen fell to the Chiefs in the fourth round and quickly carved out a role, including a prolific 2007 campaign that saw him record a league-high 15.5 sacks. Allen would join the Vikings that offseason, and followed the move up with six consecutive seasons with at least 10 sacks.

Tom Brady

Draft year: 2000

Pick No. 199

The greatest late round pick of them all, it's difficult to find an achievement Brady didn't compile over the course of a remarkable 23-year career. He had 15 Pro Bowls, three league MVPs, five Super Bowl MVPs and of course seven total rings, the most of any individual player in league history.

Brady is the league's all-time leader in passing yards, total completions and passing touchdowns, amassing the vast majority of his stats across two decades with the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots.

Zach Thomas

Draft year: 1996

Pick No. 154

Thomas made his name with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and an average combine outing caused him to fall down draft boards. But Thomas' consistent college production proved more than translatable to professional ranks, as he was named defensive rookie of the year.

Thomas would go on to start 168 games for the Dolphins, earning seven Pro Bowl nods in the process. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Terrell Davis

Draft year: 1995

Pick No. 196

The 1998 NFL MVP wasn't selected until the sixth round of his draft. Davis made his mark quickly with the Denver Broncos, rushing for 1,117 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie.

He'd continually improve until he would reach the peak of his powers with his stellar 1998 campaign -- he'd become one of just eight players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a regular season, leading the Broncos to a second-straight Super Bowl victory.

Davis was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

- J.J. Post, ESPN

NFL ROUNDUP: RAVENS THRASH DOLPHINS, GRAB NO. 1 SEED IN AFC

Lamar Jackson. USA TODAY Sports 

Lamar Jackson passed for 321 yards and matched his career high of five touchdown passes and the Baltimore Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 56-19 dismantling of the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Isaiah Likely had two touchdown receptions and Zay Flowers (106 receiving yards), Justice Hill, Patrick Ricard and Charlie Kolar each had one for the Ravens (13-3). Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon III each rushed for a score for Baltimore, which has won six straight games and 10 of its past 11.

Roquan Smith and Geno Stone had interceptions for the Ravens, who have won eight games by 14 or more points this season. Miami star linebacker Bradley Chubb was carted off with a potentially serious knee injury with 3:05 remaining.

Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 38 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Miami (11-5) but sustained an injury to his left (throwing) shoulder. He was injured while sliding during a scramble with 7:55 left and missed the rest of the contest. De'Von Achane rushed 107 yards and caught a touchdown pass for the Dolphins.

49ers 27, Commanders 10

Brock Purdy threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns as San Francisco clinched the top seed in the NFC by beating Washington in Landover, Md.

Elijah Mitchell carried 17 times for 80 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers (12-4) locked down the top record in the conference after losses by Detroit on Saturday and Philadelphia on Sunday. Mitchell took over for Christian McCaffrey, who was sidelined with an ankle injury early in the third quarter after rushing 14 times for 64 yards.

Brock Purdy. USA TODAY Sports 

Sam Howell completed 17 of 28 passes for 169 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for Washington (4-12), which dropped its seventh straight, its longest single-season losing streak since 1998.

Chiefs 25, Bengals 17

Harrison Butker booted six field goals while Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice each gained over 100 yards from scrimmage as Kansas City clinched the AFC West with a victory over visiting Cincinnati.

Harrison Butker. USA TODAY Sports 

Patrick Mahomes finished 21-of-29 passing for 245 yards and a touchdown for the Chiefs (10-6), who clinched their eighth straight division title. Pacheco totaled 130 yards on 18 carries and had seven receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown, and Rice finished with five catches for 127 yards.

Justin Watson. USA TODAY Sports 

Jake Browning completed 19 of 33 passes for 197 yards. He threw for a TD and rushed for another for the Bengals (8-8), who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. Cincinnati led 17-7 in the second quarter before Kansas City scored the final 18 points.

Bills 27, Patriots 21

Quarterback Josh Allen rushed for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns and Buffalo held off a late rally by New England to earn a victory in Orchard Park, N.Y.

The Bills (10-6) will go into the final week of the regular season holding the AFC's second wild-card berth but not yet assured of a postseason spot. Allen put Buffalo up 27-14 with 10:42 remaining in the third quarter when he snuck into the end zone with the help of a push from running back Latavius Murray.

Josh Allen. USA TODAY Sports 

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a 6-yard score early in the fourth to pull New England (4-12) within six, and the Patriots ended up getting the ball back with 6:41 left in the game. However, New England failed to get past its 11-yard line, and the Bills then ran out the clock.

Bears 37, Falcons 17

Justin Fields passed for 268 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 45 yards and a score to lift host Chicago over Atlanta.

The Bears (7-9) relied on a balanced attack that outgained Atlanta 432-307 to win for the fourth time in the past five games. Khalil Herbert led the ground game, rushing 18 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons (7-9) lost for the third time in four games as their dim NFC playoff hopes took a hit. Taylor Heinicke finished 10-for-29 passing for 163 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions before Desmond Ridder entered in relief late in the fourth quarter.

Texans 26, Titans 3

C.J. Stroud passed for 213 yards and a touchdown in his return from a two-game concussion absence and host Houston kept its postseason hopes alive by thumping Tennessee.

Stroud completed 24 of 32 pass attempts and tossed a 12-yard touchdown to Brevin Jordan in the second quarter to extend the Houston lead to 10-0. Eight seconds later, the Texans (9-7) produced their first defensive touchdown of the season when Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble by Titans quarterback Will Levis 13 yards for a score.

Levis suffered a right foot injury while being sacked by Jerry Hughes on the play. Levis labored walking to the sideline and was carted to the locker room. Ryan Tannehill replaced Levis and passed for 168 yards. The Texans recorded five sacks of Tannehill while limiting the Titans (5-11) to 187 yards of total offense.

Colts 23, Raiders 20

Gardner Minshew threw for 224 yards and a touchdown while Jonathan Taylor ran for 96 yards and another score as host Indianapolis kept its hopes for an AFC South title alive by beating Las Vegas.

Matt Gay added second-half field goals of 38, 33 and 45 yards as the Colts (9-7) remained in a three-way tie with Jacksonville and Houston in the division. They will have to beat the visiting Texans next week in their regular-season finale and hope the Jaguars lose at Tennessee to claim a division crown.

Aidan O'Connell hit on 30 of 47 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas (7-9), which was eliminated from playoff consideration. Davante Adams caught 13 passes for 126 yards and two scores.

Jaguars 26, Panthers 0

Brandon McManus kicked four field goals and Jacksonville's defense dominated as the hosts shut out Carolina.

The Jaguars (9-7) snapped a four-game losing streak and moved closer to repeating as AFC South champions. Sunday's win came with backup quarterback C.J. Beathard at the controls for the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence, who sustained a shoulder injury a week earlier, missed a game for the first time since he arrived in the NFL in 2021, ending a string of 49 straight games played.

Bryce Young had 112 yards and an interception on 19-of-32 passing for the Panthers (2-14).

Rams 26, Giants 25

Matthew Stafford passed for 317 yards and a touchdown and Kyren Williams rushed for three scores to help Los Angeles defeat New York in East Rutherford, N.J.

Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes with two interceptions, Williams rushed for 87 yards on 20 carries and Puka Nacua caught five passes for 118 yards for the Rams (9-7), who have won six of their past seven.

Tyrod Taylor passed for 319 yards and a touchdown and Darius Slayton caught four passes for 106 yards and a long touchdown for the Giants (5-11), who have lost three in a row. New York failed to convert a two-point conversion try to take the lead with 3:27 left, and Mason Crosby missed a 54-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining.

Cardinals 35, Eagles 31

James Conner rushed for a 2-yard touchdown with 32 seconds to play and Arizona stunned host Philadelphia to leave the NFC playoff picture in disarray.

Needing a stop to halt their December slide, the Eagles saw their defense fall flat, allowing touchdowns on all four second-half possessions to permit 29 points as Philadelphia (11-5) dropped out of first place in the NFC East.

Kyler Murray was rarely pressured after a first-half interception and completed 25 of 31 passes for 232 yards and three TDs for Arizona (4-12). Conner had 26 carries for 128 yards. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles had only 275 total yards to Arizona's 449.

Saints 23, Buccaneers 13

Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes, New Orleans forced four turnovers and the visiting Saints stayed in contention for a postseason berth with a win over Tampa Bay.

Baker Mayfield was 22-of-33 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions. Tampa Bay (8-8), which had won four in a row, missed an opportunity to clinch its third consecutive NFC South title, but can still do so with a victory at Carolina next weekend.

The Saints (8-8), who avenged a 26-9 home loss to the Buccaneers in Week 4, can win the South with a win over Atlanta and a Bucs loss to the Panthers in Week 18.

Steelers 30, Seahawks 23

Najee Harris rushed 27 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh continued its playoff push with a victory against host Seattle.

Mason Rudolph, starting for the injured Kenny Pickett, completed 18 of 24 passes for 274 yards for the Steelers (9-7). Geno Smith was 23-of-33 passing for 290 yards and one touchdown for the Seahawks (8-8), who had a two-game winning streak snapped and saw their postseason chances diminish.

The Seahawks reached the red zone before stalling, settling for Jason Myers' 24-yard field goal with 2:01 remaining to make it a one-possession game. The Steelers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Broncos 16, Chargers 9

Jarrett Stidham threw for 224 yards and a touchdown in his first start in nearly a year, but Denver was eliminated from the playoff hunt despite beating visiting Los Angeles.

Stidham took over starting duties from Russell Wilson this week after the Broncos (8-8) lost three of their previous four games, and he completed 20 of 32 passes without a turnover. Denver was eliminated when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

Easton Stick completed 24 of 38 passes for 220 yards in his third straight start for the Chargers (5-11) since Justin Herbert went down with a broken right index finger against the Broncos on Dec. 10. Alex Erickson caught seven passes for 98 yards for Los Angeles, which has lost four in a row and seven of eight.

Packers 33, Vikings 10

Jordan Love passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one more and Green Bay cruised to a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Love completed 24 of 33 passes for 256 yards for Green Bay (8-8), which boosted its playoff hopes while reducing the Vikings' chances to near zero. The Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Chicago Bears in Week 18. Jayden Reed had six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay.

Nick Mullens completed 13 of 22 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota (7-9), which lost its third game in a row. Mullens entered the game in the second half as a replacement for starter Jaren Hall, who completed 5 of 10 passes for 67 yards and an interception.

--Field Level Media

LAMAR JACKSON LEADS THE RAVENS PAST THE 49ERS 33-19 IN A SHOWDOWN OF THE TOP 2 TEAMS

AP Photo 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — If the rare late-season matchup between the top teams in the NFL was a statement game, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens delivered a loud one to the rest of the league.

¾tJackson threw two touchdown passes in a span of 18 seconds in the third quarter and the Ravens intercepted Brock Purdy four times in a 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

“Our guys work hard. They compete hard. Everybody wants to be respected," coach John Harbaugh said. "There’s one way to be respected, and that’s to go out there and earn that.”

Jackson and the Ravens (12-3) turned a highly anticipated matchup between the top two teams in the NFL into a lopsided win with strong performances on both sides of the ball.

Kyle Hamilton and the defense set the tone early by intercepting Purdy on three of the first four drives of the game for the 49ers (11-4) before Jackson started to take over.

He scrambled 30 yards to set up a field goal on the final play of the first half to give the Ravens a 16-12 lead and then helped put the game away early in the third quarter.

MCCAFFREY SCORES 3 TD'S AND 49ERS CLINCH NFC WEST WITH 45-29 ROUT OF CARDINALS FOR 6TH STRAIGHT WIN

Brock Purdy. AP Photo

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Deebo Samuel was stunned to be so wide open for San Francisco's first touchdown of the game. A few quarters later, Christian McCaffrey had enough time to catch a deep pass, fall to the turf, then scramble to his feet and run for a 41-yard touchdown.

Brock Purdy's return to the desert as the 49ers quarterback was everything he ever dreamed — especially since Arizona's defense was in a helpful mood.

McCaffrey scored three touchdowns, Samuel added two scores, and the 49ers clinched the NFC West title by pushing their winning streak to six games with a 45-29 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

“In high school, I'd come watch the Cardinals, and now I'm playing on the field,” Purdy said. “It's so cool. Definitely something I'll look back on in life and be thankful.”

Purdy — making his first NFL start at State Farm Stadium, which is about 45 miles from where he grew up — completed 16 of 25 passes for 242 yards and tied a career high with four touchdowns. He also shook off a hard hit in the second quarter that caused him to miss a few plays.