Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers: Keys to the Game

The Detroit Lions (13-2) will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers (6-9) in Week 17. The Lions have a chance to clinch a second straight division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC on Monday Night Football. Meanwhile, 49ers were expected to compete for a Super Bowl but were eliminated from the playoffs last week. The Lions are 3.5-point favorites entering this matchup, though the line should be more considering the amount of injuries on the 49ers’ offense.

Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup quotes

The Lions head into this game with revenge on their minds. Last year’s loss in the NFC championship hasn’t sat well with this team, and they will find every possible way to try and embarrass the 49ers.

Regarding last year’s loss Dan Campbell said, “We just didn’t do enough. You learn from every experience. Unfortunately, that’s the best way to learn is from the losses. It really is. Just like my second year in the league, we go to the Super Bowl and get smashed by Baltimore. I won’t ever forget that either. So, those stick with you. You don’t want to go through that feeling again, and that means you have to prepare a certain way.”

The loss from last year still doesn’t sit well with anyone, and the Lions are in a position to avenge their loss from last year and secure an ideal spot in the playoffs.

As for the 49ers, with the season essentially over, the team is looking to play spoiler versus the one team left in contention on their schedule. San Francisco has struggled with injuries to key players all season, and the lack of strong performances from some of their key players has held them back.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan knows how this Lions team has improved and that they are a much more difficult opponent this time.

“I’ve heard about all their injuries, which is a huge credit to them because they have had a ton,” Shanahan told 49ers media this week. “I was expecting it to look a lot worse than it actually does. They are still the No. 1 team in the league on third down. I think they are No. 6 in red zone. 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.”

With a much-improved Lions team, the 49ers will have to be perfect to win this game.

Key players for the Lions

Quarterback Jared Goff has been playing some of his best football of the season in the last two weeks. Two great statistical games versus the Bears and Bills have put him at his career high in touchdown passes (33), while completing 71.4 percent of his passes.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also had a stellar day last week. And against the 49ers, Gibbs should have ample opportunity to perform well again.

Meanwhile, an injured 49ers’ secondary should allow Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to stretch the defense and find open spaces. A injured defensive line should allow the Lions’ talent on the offensive line to create huge holes in the run game.

Defensively, the Lions played well last week against the Bears, winning despite their injuries. Levi Onwuzirkie, in particular, has stepped up to fill the hole left by Alim McNeil. Meanwhile, Jack Campbell continues his stellar play this season and is quickly becoming one of the best linebackers in the league.

Also, rookie Terrion Arnold has stepped up this season in a challenging role, especially after the Carlton Davis injury. He plays man coverage more than almost any other corner in the league and has improved each week.

Key players for the 49ers

Quarterback Brock Purdy has struggled this year after a phenomenal sophomore season, where he received MVP votes. The 49ers are also down to third-string running back Isaac Guerendo, who has played well in limited time this season.

Deebo Samuel has taken a significant step back in his production this season, but George Kittle has strung together many quality games in a row.

Unfortunately for the offense, left tackle Trent Williams was shut down for the season, which significantly weakens an already poor offensive line.

Defensively, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are still playing like elite defensive players. They are the leaders of that unit, and are the main reason the entire unit hasn’t fallen apart this season. In the back-end, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is one player who has shined this season as a tremendous boundary corner and a stable presence for the 49ers. 

Keys for the Lions to Win

If the Lions want to win this matchup, this is what Detroit must do.

Dominate in trenches offensively

The 49ers’ run defense began to collapse late in this season. Since Week 12, they have ranked in the bottom-six in the NFL in both run defense EPA/play and rush defense success rate. With the 49ers’ defensive line piled up with injuries, the Lions should be able to create massive holes in the run game and opportunities in the play-action game. 

Limit George Kittle

Kittle has been the 49ers’ most productive offensive weapon, approaching his second straight season with 1,000 receiving yards. Double-teaming or finding ways to limit him will be essential in shutting down the 49ers’ offense, especially with a running game that has struggled to maintain consistency against better run defenses.

Involve Jameson Williams

The 49ers secondary has been no stranger to injuries this season; and the unit has been average since Week 12 regarding both EPA/play and success rate. Jameson Williams is a player who can put a lot of stress on a defense because of his ability to burn any defender over the top in any given play.

Involving him in the game plan early to open everything else up for the Lions will give the Detroit offense an easier time matriculating drives down the field.