There's a scenario where Week 17 means nothing to the Lions, but don't expect that to mean Dan Campbell and Co. will rest players against the 49ers.
The Detroit Lions are precisely where the San Francisco 49ers would prefer to be at this point in the season.
At 13-2, head coach Dan Campbell's squad hasn't suffered the lingering effects of losing an NFC Championship game in heartbreaking fashion, which could have been the case after what the Niners did to his team last January.
Instead, San Francisco is going through the proverbial post-playoff "hangover" after falling in overtime in the Super Bowl last February.
While both teams have dealt with serious injury rashes, Detroit seems as strong as ever as it seeks the No. 1 seed in the conference with two weeks left in the regular season.
The 49ers, meanwhile, aim to play the spoiler role and for pride.
That said, Week 17's Monday Night Football showdown could potentially not carry much weight for the Lions, namely if the 13-2 Minnesota Vikings beat the 11-4 Green Bay Packers the Sunday before Detroit visits the Bay Area.
Such an outcome would put the entire emphasis on the Lions' regular-season finale against Minnesota, which would then decide the NFC North.
But, if the Vikings beat the Packers, would Campbell rest his starters in anticipation of Week 18?
It doesn't sound like it.
Dan Campbell stresses beating 49ers at all costs on Monday night
In a pre-Week 17 presser, Campbell was asked about the prospects of resting some of his top players on Monday night, should the Vikings beat Green Bay the day prior.
Campbell made it clear he had no intention of doing such a thing:
If the Vikings beat the Packers, this game against the 49ers will not mean anything for the Lions. Dan Campbell was asked if the Vikings win, would he will rest players to get ready for week 18’s matchup against Minnesota, which would decide the division:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 25, 2024
“I’ll make this easy… pic.twitter.com/ksEt3QfdpK
"We’re bringing everything we got to this game and we are playing," Campbell responded. "I don’t care what it looks like and where it’s at and who’s this, who’s that. We’re going out to play and win this game out on the West Coast."
For a scuffling Niners team that has struggled to garner any sort of consistent momentum all season, it doesn't sound like Monday Night Football will provide much of a respite at all.
That said, at least in the bigger picture, another San Francisco loss would help ensure a better 2025, both in terms of higher NFL Draft positioning and an easier game schedule.
The Lions, meanwhile, are playing both for revenge and for a serious run at a Lombardi Trophy, which is what the 49ers would rather be doing.