The 2024 regular season finale of “Monday Night Football” is about as meaningless as a “MNF” matchup can get, but the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers meet in a playoff rematch with revenge on the line.
The 49ers are playing for pride during the last two weeks of the season after being eliminated from playoff contention, a sour end to a disappointing, injury-riddled season. The defending NFC champions downed the Lions in last year’s NFC championship game, but they won’t have an opportunity to meet them in the postseason again.
Meanwhile, the pride of Detroit is the Lions, and they’re roaring en route to the playoffs. Detroit has the inside track to the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, which they can secure in Week 18 with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, regardless of whatever happens tonight vs. the 49ers.
That said, it might not be a given for a once sure thing of the Lions, who are dealing with multiple injuries at the wrong time, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That could spell trouble for the Lions in Week 17 and beyond.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Lions-49ers matchup on “Monday Night Football” in Week 17.
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San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy fired a pass to rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall for a 3-yard touchdown. Pearsall was initially ruled down at the one-yard line but review showed he crossed the plane with the ball for the touchdown. Jake Moody’s extra point is good and the 49ers take an early lead.
Purdy went 3 for 3 for 34 yards on this drive and made a key conversion with his legs on fourth-and-1 at the Detroit 5-yard line to set up the score. San Francisco went 61 yards in 11 plays for the score.
The 49ers vs. Lions matchup kicks off at 8:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. PT).
ESPN again is the broadcast home of “Monday Night Football.” The longtime team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color) will be on the call, with Lisa Salters adding reports from the sideline.
There will be no “ManningCast” for tonight’s broadcast.
For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.
ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game.
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the 49ers vs. Lions “MNF” matchup will go down:
The Lions are favorites to defeat the 49ers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
The Lions travel to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to take on the 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”
Levi’s Stadium has been the 49ers’ home since 2014. The venue hosted Super Bowl 50 — the Denver Broncos’ win over the Carolina Panthers — and will host Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8, 2026.
The stadium will be a host venue for the 2026 World Cup. Levi’s Stadium also occasionally will host games for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.
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Game time temperatures at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will be in the mid-50s and there is no chance for precipitation, according to AccuWeather. Temperatures will dip below 50 degrees by the time the game ends.
The Lions still have a shot to play for the division and the No. 1 seed. They’ll need a win in Week 18 to make that happen. Here’s how the division stacks up:
The 49ers won’t have a chance to repeat as NFC West champs this year, as the division has been wrapped up by the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s how the division shakes out:
The first round of the NFL playoffs is the wild-card round, which will take place Jan. 11-13.
Seeds Nos. 2 through 7 in both conferences will face off in one of the six total matchups over the three-day opening round. This year’s playoffs will kick off with two games on Saturday, Jan. 11, continue with three more on Sunday, Jan. 12 and conclude with one game on Monday, Jan. 13.
The Lions have already clinched a playoff berth and will be either the No. 1 seed in the NFC or the No. 5 seed. It all depends on whether they can stave off competition from the Vikings in the race for the NFC North.
Detroit will be the NFC’s No. 1 seed if either of the following scenarios occurs:
Detroit will be the NFC’s No. 5 seed in either of the scenarios below:
There are only two ways for the Lions and Vikings to end up tied in the standings at season’s end. They are as follows:
If the Lions are the NFC’s No. 1 seed, they will get a much-needed first-round bye after which they would play the lowest-remaining seed in the NFC bracket.
If Detroit ends up as the No. 5 seed, it will go on the road to face one of the following three teams:
The 49ers were eliminated from the playoff picture ahead of their Week 16 game against the Dolphins. They failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2020.
San Francisco faced an uphill climb all season, dealing with countless injuries and ultimately succumbing to the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.
The 2024 playoff field is almost set: 12 teams have clinched a playoff spot heading into Monday of Week 17:
AFC
NFC
Below is the playoff clinching situation heading into Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season:
Baltimore Ravens clinch AFC North with:
Steelers clinch AFC North with:
Bengals clinch playoff berth with:
Broncos clinch playoff berth with:
Dolphins clinch playoff berth with:
Lions clinch NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with:
If win on MNF …
If lose on MNF …
Vikings clinch NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with:
If Lions win on MNF …
If Lions lose on MNF …
Falcons clinch NFC South with:
Buccaneers clinch NFC South with:
Here’s how the top 15 picks of the first round of the 2025 NFL draft stack up entering Monday night’s game:
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six.
The 49ers have made eight total Super Bowl appearances and own five rings to show for it, the most recent coming during the 1994 season in Super Bowl XXIX. Since then, the 49ers have lost three Super Bowls, twice to the Kansas City Chiefs and also against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Lions are among four NFL teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl. The Lions, however, were a powerhouse team before the advent of the Super Bowl, winning four NFL championships, including three in the 1950s.
NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:
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