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Eleven months after their dramatic postseason clash in the NFC Championship Game, the Lions and 49ers will meet again in the final Monday Night Football matchup of the 2024 regular season.
Detroit (13-2) will visit San Francisco (6-9) to close out Week 17, though the circumstances are different from last January’s game.
The Lions have already secured their second consecutive playoff berth, thanks to their No. 1 scoring offense, and they still have a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the Vikings lose to the Packers on Sunday and Detroit wins against San Francisco, the Lions will secure the top spot for the first time since conferences were formed in 1970.
The 49ers, on the other hand, have no playoff aspirations, as they were eliminated from postseason contention last week following a frustrating 2024 season plagued by injuries, which derailed their Super Bowl hopes.
Historically, in the last four instances of NFC Championship Game rematches, the loser of the first game won the second, with San Francisco taking three of those victories.
The final Monday night game of the season brings plenty of storylines and potential playoff implications.
Here are four key things to watch when the Lions visit the 49ers:
- Will defensive injuries finally take a toll?
The Lions have clinched a playoff spot and set a franchise record for wins, all while dealing with the highest number of defensive players on injured reserve (14). Despite missing several key starters, they’ve continued to win, but recent weeks have shown a drop in defensive performance. In the first 13 weeks, Detroit allowed 16.9 points per game and 320.3 total yards per game, ranking among the top defenses. However, over the last three weeks, those numbers have surged to 32.0 PPG and 413.0 total yards per game. The offense’s continued dominance has masked these issues, but as the Lions head into the postseason, they may not have as much room for error. A strong defensive performance against the 49ers could be a sign of improvement heading into January. - O-line injuries could make or break the 49ers.
The 49ers know the struggles the Lions face with injuries, but their situation has had a much bigger impact this season. The offensive line, in particular, is heavily impacted. Star left tackle Trent Williams and his backup, Jaylon Moore, both went on injured reserve, leaving the 49ers with a patchwork offensive line. The injuries also include left guard Aaron Banks (out for the season) and several others, leaving center Jake Brendel and right guard Dominick Puni as the only healthy starters. This significantly impacts their ability to protect quarterback Brock Purdy and open running lanes, posing a major challenge for San Francisco’s offense. - Niners’ offense needs big games from key players.
Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense will need to perform at their best to compete with Detroit’s high-scoring offense. San Francisco’s top two running backs are out, leaving Isaac Guerendo as the lead back, though he’s dealing with foot and hamstring injuries. Guerendo’s ability to break through Detroit’s No. 4-ranked rush defense will be crucial. In the passing game, Deebo Samuel, who has struggled with drops and inconsistent usage, will need to step up. Samuel showed improvement last week, recording 96 yards and a touchdown. For the 49ers to have a chance, both the running and passing games must find success against the Lions’ defense. - Lions’ solo RB stepping up.
Throughout the season, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery formed a potent 1-2 punch in Detroit’s rushing attack. But with Montgomery sidelined by a knee injury, Gibbs now carries the load. The 22-year-old has thrived in a solo role, averaging 137.8 scrimmage yards per game and scoring three total touchdowns in four games without Montgomery. He will now face a 49ers defense that has struggled in recent weeks, allowing significant rushing yards. Gibbs has the opportunity to lead Detroit’s offense and exploit San Francisco’s vulnerable run defense.
