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As the regular season approaches its finale, two NFC teams find themselves in contrasting circumstances on the field. The Detroit Lions travel to face the San Francisco 49ers in the last Monday Night Football game of the season. Detroit arrives fresh off a commanding 34-17 victory against Chicago, successfully covering the spread as a 6.5-point favorite. In contrast, San Francisco suffered a 29-17 defeat against Miami, falling short as a two-point favorite. Historically, the 49ers lead the regular season series with a 38-27-1 record and have won 11 of the last 12 encounters, including their last two matchups. The last meeting resulted in a 41-33 win for San Francisco on September 12, 2021.
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Who will emerge victorious in this clash? Discover insights on the Lions vs. 49ers matchup!
Lions Working to Secure NFC Playoff Position
The Lions bounced back impressively from a recent loss to Buffalo, defeating Chicago on the road. With a record of 13-2, Detroit shares the NFC North lead with the Vikings, but holds the tiebreaker advantage. They currently occupy the top seed in the NFC playoff standings, and a win in this game would bolster their chances as the regular season wraps up. In their game against Chicago, Detroit established a strong early lead, going up 13-0 in the first quarter and extending it to 20-0 in the second before the Bears fought back. The Lions ended the first half ahead 27-14 and maintained control throughout the contest, showcasing a total offense advantage of 475-382.
This season, the Lions rank second in passing offense, averaging 264.7 yards per game, and sixth in rushing, with 143.9 yards on the ground. Their scoring offense leads the league, with an impressive average of 32.9 points per game, while their defense ranks seventh, allowing 19.9 points per contest. Jared Goff has thrown for 4,095 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while also contributing on the ground. The team recently added veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to support Goff. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have been key contributors in the run game, with Gibbs leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as the primary target in the passing game, recording over 1,100 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
In terms of injuries, the Lions have a relatively light report, aside from several players on injured reserve. Montgomery (knee) did not practice leading up to the game and is expected to be sidelined. Cornerback Terrion Arnold missed practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday due to illness. Updates on his status will be provided as kickoff approaches.
San Francisco Aiming to Play Spoiler Role
The 49ers face a challenging situation after their recent loss to Miami, marking their second consecutive defeat and their fifth in the last six games. With a record of 6-9, they sit at the bottom of the NFC West and have been eliminated from playoff contention. During the game against Miami, San Francisco struggled to maintain momentum, trailing early and only managing to narrow the score late in the fourth quarter. In total offense, they were narrowly outgained 381-374.
For the season, the 49ers are ranked seventh in passing, averaging 235.7 yards per game, and 11th in rushing, with 130 yards per game. They rank 14th in scoring offense, averaging 22.1 points, while their defense is 20th, allowing 23.3 points per game. Quarterback Brock Purdy has thrown for 3,487 yards, tallying 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Jordan Mason leads the rushing attack, while George Kittle stands out as the top receiver, contributing significantly with 68 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards.
San Francisco’s injury report includes several key players. Guards Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and defensive end Robert Beal Jr. missed practice sessions this week. Additionally, tackle Colton McKivitz was limited in practice, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk missed Friday’s session due to illness. Further updates on player statuses will be important as kickoff approaches.
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