The San Francisco 49ers had an epic comeback against the Detroit Lions in last year's NFC Championship game. Detroit's head coach, Dan Campbell, is still haunted by this loss, which may inspire him to run up the score against San Francisco on Monday Night Football.
Niners fans will never forget Campbell's characteristic aggressiveness which came back to bite him in the kneecaps during last season's playoff matchup. The former tight end has made going for it on fourth down a calling card of his.
When it works, he looks brilliant. But when it doesn't, he looks like the meathead caricature of himself.
Campbell has also developed a reputation for running up the score on opponents and not pulling starters even when the game is well in hand. The Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL, so it is no surprise they have blown out lesser teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. Campbell and his squad have made a habit out of embarrassing teams, and that could continue against the Niners in Week 17 on Monday Night Football.
Detroit is not the same juggernaut it was earlier in the season as injuries have brought the squad back down to earth. However, the Lions are clearly superior to a San Francisco team that has had arguably even more injury woes.
A win for San Francisco would not be impossible, but it would certainly be an upset. The Niners are banged up on both sides of the ball and have struggled to play good football pretty much all season.
Campbell has made it clear that he is not going to rest any of his starters even though he hypothetically could after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, since now everything comes down to Detroit's Week 18 matchup against the Vikings to determine the NFC North champion and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
It would not come as any surprise for Campbell to try and run up the score against San Francisco, though. He was thoroughly embarrassed last season as his go-for-it approach came back to bite him on a huge stage. While it may make him feel better to blow out a depleted Niners squad, it will not change the fact that he squandered a great chance to make it to the Super Bowl last season.
Plus, if any of his starters get hurt in the game he could be squandering his team's chances to make the Super Bowl this season.
The Lions and Niners square off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Dec. 30 from Levi's Stadium.