The 13-2 Detroit Lions, yes, I said the 13-2 Detroit Lions, just in case the people in the back didn’t hear, will be hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 17. Despite having the most injuries in the National Football League, this Detroit team has broken a franchise record with 13 wins!
Monday should be no different in adding to that season’s win total against the Niners. This will be the rematch of the NFC Championship Game last season where the Lions blew a second half double-digit lead to have their Super Bowl dreams crushed. There won’t be a playoff rematch since the 49ers have been officially eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 6-9.
Lions Will Take This Game Personally
If there is one thing you can count on for this game, Coach Dan Campbell will take this game against the San Francisco 49ers personally. The second half of the NFC Championship was not only a devastating turn of events for Detroit but was also done in a humiliating fashion. One of the biggest plays and turning points was a Brandon Aiyuk catch off a defender’s face mask. This was the closest the franchise would get to ever appearing in a Super Bowl. For the first time in a long time, the moniker “Same Old Lions” peaked its ugly little head up because, historically, how else would that game end for a Detroit franchise that has had decades of laughable moments?
Dan Campbell has shown that he is built differently, and this organization is one of the most feared teams in the league. There has been speculation this season that the gritty Detroit Lions have been “running up” scores to try to embarrass their opponents! All I have to say is, “How does it feel?” The Lions have been embarrassed and embarrassed for basically their entire existence.
Even though the stakes aren’t as high, I would expect the Lions to completely dominate this game on Monday. Just look at the game against the Dallas Cowboys! The Lions got screwed against Dallas last season with a bogus flag on an eligible receiver on a 2-point conversion costing Detroit the game. They whooped the Cowboys like a red-headed stepchild in “Jerry’s World” on the owner’s birthday. Expect some of the same on Monday.
Detroit’s Key To Victory
What is Detroit’s biggest key to victory this week on Monday? The answer is simple: show up! Weirdly, Lions’ fans should be happy that the Minnesota Vikings have been on their ass all season to try to take the NFC North title. This has allowed the Lions to stay sharp and not let off the gas. Remember all those Peyton Manning-led Colts teams? It seemed like every year, they would clinch a playoff spot, sit their starters for meaningless games, and get bounced early from the playoffs.
The Niners have been eliminated from playoff contention and essentially are fighting for better draft positioning. Detroit, on the other hand, can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, solidifying home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Lions do have a big matchup against the Vikings in Week 18 and could be for the division if Detroit doesn’t take care of business at home against the Niners this week.
Final Thoughts
This game shouldn’t be close! Campbell and his team of warriors still have that memory of blowing the NFC Championship game fresh in their minds. With a banged-up Niners team and lack of motivation, this game can and should get out of hand quickly. Jared Goff should be able to convince analysts that he should be in the MVP conversation.
The current spread is -3.5, but I would be tempted to take an alternate line of -9.5. There is no doubt in my mind this game will get ugly. Revenge is best served cold, and it’s going to be served and shoved down San Francisco’s throat whether you like it or not.
