Yes, some of the luster has rubbed off the Detroit Lions’ matchup tonight with the San Francisco 49ers. The rematch of January’s NFC championship game — have you heard? — is more for bragging rights, with the Minnesota Vikings’ victory Sunday afternoon setting up a winner-takes-all showdown for the NFC North, the NFC’s 1-seed and a first-round playoff bye (and the ensuing homefield advantage until Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans). But there’s still some history at stake tonight in Santa Clara, California. First, a win would give the Lions 14 victories in the regular season, matching the franchise record — set just last year — for combined regular-season and playoff wins. Not only that, but a win at Levi’s Stadium would be the Lions’ eighth in eight tries and would make them the first team in franchise history to go 8-0 on the road (with the NFL only playing eight road games since 1978) and the second to go unbeaten at all. (The 1961 Lions went 6-0-1 on the road, with their tie coming against the 49ers, but went just 2-5 at home at Tiger Stadium.)DAVE BIRKETT’S SCOUTING REPORT: Why I predict the Lions win the NFC title rematch.
Four Free Press sports writers provide their perspectives on whether the Lions can move closer to the NFC’s top seed.
Dave Birkett
This wasn’t the showcase clash most people expected when the schedule was released in May. The Lions are the NFC’s leading Super Bowl contenders, while the 49ers are finishing out a poor season. They’ve only averaged 16.3 points in their last six games and are unlikely to beat an explosive Lions club on Monday.
The 49ers are too skilled and well-coached to take for granted, and their defence has enough playmakers that the Lions will not be able to score as easily as they did last week against the Bears. Gibbs is primed for another big game, and as long as Goff keeps turnovers to a minimum, the Lions should improve to 14-2 and move closer to claiming the NFC’s top spot. The pick is Lions 31, 49ers 21.
Carlos Monarez
What was supposed to be an epic showdown will undoubtedly turn into an epic beatdown. Perhaps not quite to the extent we seen in Dallas, but close enough.
The Niners were losing close games with Christian McCaffrey, and now that he’s gone, teams like the Dolphins are taking advantage of them. In the season’s final Monday night game, Ben Johnson is sure to pull out some tricks that will haunt the nightmares of defensive coordinators the Lions may face in the playoffs. The pick is Lions 42, 49ers 17.
Jeff Seidel
Everything feels different in this rematch of last season’s NFC title game. The Lions have continued to surge, while the 49ers have suffered through an injury-plagued 6-9 season. However, the 49ers have scored 30 points in three of their last six games. So, even though San Francisco will be without McCaffrey, the 49ers still have weapons and can score points, and this will be another test for the Lions’ ailing defence — a test the Lions will pass, even if it will be close enough to be unpleasant. The pick is Lions 33, 49ers 31.
Shawn Windsor
If Caleb Williams can throw for at least 300 yards against this reworked Lions defense, then Brock Purdy should be able to move the ball, too. The 49ers are missing some folks, as are the Lions. They still have talent, though, and it won’t be easy for Detroit to put San Francisco away. The 49ers may have struggled to score as of late — six against the Rams, 17 against the Dolphins — but the Lions defense isn’t what it was even two weeks ago. Jared Goff will continue his elite level of play, and the offense makes the plays in the end. The pick: Lions 27, 49ers 24.
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