Pearsall was drafted to solve the Niners’ man-to-man woes, and with him sidelined at the start of the season, every team with a defensive coordinator worth their salary has dared the 49ers to beat man-to-man this year. The Niners’ record speaks to how well that has gone.

Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and the Detroit Lions tuned up for their Week 18 division showdown against Minnesota by beating the San Francisco 49ers 40-34 on Monday.