The Detroit Lions return to Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium for a Monday night showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.
It is Detroit’s penultimate regular season game and their final road game of the regular season. Here is everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.
When and Where Is This Game?
This game will take place at Santa Clara’s impressive Levi’s Stadium, which hosted Super Bowl 50. Kick-off is at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call.
Form Guide
After winning the NFC Championship last season, the 49ers are out of the playoffs. They lost last week to the Miami Dolphins.
The Lions triumphed over the Chicago Bears last Sunday. If the Minnesota Vikings lose to the Green Bay Packers, Detroit will be in play for the NFC’s one seed and to clinch the NFC North.
If the Vikings win, the Lions’ Week 18 showdown with Minnesota at Ford Field will be for all the marbles.
Roster Moves
The positive news for the Lions is veteran Jalen Reeves-Maybin is back. Jermar Jefferson may also get an extended role tonight with Sunday’s massive matchup with the Minnesota Vikings looming.
#Lions announce roster moves:
Activated LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin from Reserve/Injured.
Elevated RB Jermar Jefferson and DL Chris Smith from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive list.
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 30, 2024
Injury Report
The latest news from the 49ers camp is that Cornerback Charvarius Ward is out. The Niners listed Ward as questionable on Saturday but have now downgraded him to out.
#49ers status report for MON:
OUT
G Aaron Banks
T/G Spencer Burford
DE Robert Beal
LB Dre GreenlawQUESTIONABLE
S Ji’Ayir Brown
T Colton McKivitz
CB Charvarius Ward
LB Tatum Bethune— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 28, 2024
The Lions are getting healthier. Removing the players on injured reserve, only David Montgomery and Kalif Raymond are out. Left Guard Graham Glasgow should return to the lineup.
#DETvsSF injury report presented by Henry Ford Health. pic.twitter.com/F8c7yrozXv
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 28, 2024
Betting Odds
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Lions as 3.5-point favorites in this matchup.
What They’ve Said
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell confirmed he won’t forget last season’s NFC Championship game and wants a big road win at San Francisco:
“You don’t want to go through that feeling again and that means you have to prepare a certain way, you have to play a certain way, everything that you talk about, per that opponent, for that week, and it’s as simple as that. This is the next opponent in front of us and just keep your cool, keep your composure, stay disciplined, do the little things that it takes to win a game, and it really is that simple.”
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan praised Detroit’s efforts in the face of so many injuries:
“I’ve heard about all their injuries, which is a huge credit to them because they have had a ton. The way they play the run – they’ve been banged up the most on the D-line and at linebacker – but the way they play the run and the way they rush the passer just individually, they are missing a couple good guys, but collectively they still do it at a very high level.”