Result, Highlights of MNF for Week 17

The 2024 regular season finale of “Monday Night Football” is as meaningless as an “MNF” matchup can be, but the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers meet in a playoff rematch with revenge on the line stands.

The 49ers are playing for pride in the final two weeks of the season after being eliminated from the playoffs, a bitter end to a disappointing, injury-riddled season. The reigning NFC champions defeated the Lions in last year’s NFC championship game, but will not have another opportunity to face them in the postseason.

The Lions are now the pride of Detroit and are headed to the playoffs. Detroit has the inside track to the NFC’s No. 1 overall pick, which they can secure with a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, regardless of what happens against the 49ers tonight.

However, this may not even be a given for the Lions as they are dealing with multiple injuries at the wrong time, particularly 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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49ers vs. Lions start time

Start time: 8:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. PT)

The 49ers vs. Lions game begins at 8:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. PT).

49ers vs. Lions TV station

ESPN is once again home to broadcast “Monday Night Football.” The longtime team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color) will be on the phone, while Lisa Salters contributes reports from the sidelines.

There will be no “ManningCast” for today’s show.

49ers vs Lions live stream

Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+

Those looking for cord cutters and a live stream for the matchup can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, so you can continue to catch NFL action for the rest of the season.

ESPN+, ESPN’s proprietary streaming service, will also broadcast the game.

Inactive Lions vs. 49ers

RB David Montgomery
QB Teddy Bridgewater (third emergency QB)
OL Giovanni Manu
OL Kayode Awosika
OL Colby Sorsdal
DL Jonah Williams
DL Brodric Martin

49ers inactive against Lions

QB Brandon Allen (third emergency QB)
DL Khalil Davis
LB Dre Greenlaw
OL Spencer Burford
DL Robert Beal Jr.
CB Charvarius Ward
RB Israel Abanikanda

49ers vs Lions Predictions, Tips

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff predicts the 49ers-Lions “MNF” match will fail:

Lorenzo Reyes: Lions 26, 49ers 16
Tyler Dragon: Lions 28, 49ers 20
Richard Morin: Lions 31, 49ers 20
Jordan Mendoza: Lions 28, 49ers 20

49ers vs. Lions odds, moneyline, over/under

According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Lions are the favorites to win over the 49ers. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.

Spread: Lions (-3.5)
Moneyline: Lions (-210); 49ers (+170)
Over/under: 50

Where is Lions vs. 49ers?

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 home of the 49ers since 2014. The venue hosted Super Bowl 50 – the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Carolina Panthers – and hosted Super Bowl 60 on February 8, 2026.

The stadium will host the 2026 World Cup. Levi’s Stadium also occasionally hosts games by the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

➤ NFL stadium rankings from 1 to 30: Where does the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium rank?

49ers vs. Lions weather updates

According to AccuWeather, game temperatures at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California will be around 50 degrees with no chance of precipitation. By the end of the game, temperatures will drop below 50 degrees.

The Lions still have a chance to fight for the division and the No. 1 seed. To do that, they need a win in Week 18. This is how the division performs:

Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
Detroit Lions (13-2)
Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Chicago Bears (4-12)

The 49ers won’t have a chance to repeat as NFC West champions this year as the division was replaced by the Los Angeles Rams. This is what the split looks like:

Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

When do the NFL playoffs start?

The first round of the NFL playoffs is the wild card round, which takes place January 11-13.

The seeds 2 to 7 from both conferences will compete in one of six matchups in the three-day opening round. This year’s playoffs begin with two games on Saturday, January 11th, continue with three more on Sunday, January 12th and conclude with one game on Monday, January 13th.

The Lions have already secured a playoff spot and will be either the No. 1 seed in the NFC or the No. 5 seed. It all depends on whether they can prevail against the Vikings in the race for the NFC North.

Detroit will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC if one of the following scenarios occurs:

The Lions defeated the Vikings in Week 18;
The Lions beat the 49ers in Week 17 and face the Vikings in Week 18.

Detroit will be the No. 5 seed in the NFC in one of the following scenarios:

The Lions lose to the Vikings in Week 18;
The Lions lose to the 49ers in Week 17 and face the Vikings in Week 18;
The Lions face the 49ers in Week 17 and the Vikings in Week 18.

Lions vs. Vikings tiebreaker explained

There are only two ways for the Lions and Vikings to finish level in the table at the end of the season. They are as follows:

The Lions lose to the 49ers in Week 17 AND beat the Vikings in Week 18.
The Lions beat the 49ers in Week 17 AND face the Vikings in Week 18.

Potential playoff opponents for the Lions

If the Lions are the No. 1 seed in the NFC, they will receive a much-needed bye in the first round and then play the lowest remaining seed in the NFC group.

If Detroit ends up being the No. 5 seed, it will face one of the following three teams:

Are the 49ers in the playoffs?

The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention prior to their Week 16 game against the Dolphins. For the first time since 2020, they failed to qualify for the postseason.

San Francisco faced an uphill climb throughout the season, dealing with countless injuries and ultimately succumbing to the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.

The playoff field for 2024 is almost certain: 12 teams have secured a spot in the playoffs as of Monday of Week 17:

AFC

NFC

NFL Playoff Decision Scenarios: What’s at Stake for the Lions?

Below is the playoff situation heading into Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season:

AFC

Baltimore Ravens win AFC North with:

Win or draw
Steelers loss or draw

Steelers win AFC North with:

Bengals secure playoff spot with:

The Broncos win and lose and the Dolphins lose or draw

Broncos secure playoff spot with:

Win or draw
Dolphins loss or draw and Bengals loss or draw

Dolphins secure playoff spot with:

NFC

The Lions clinch the NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs with:

If MNF wins…

If you lose to MNF…

Vikings clinch NFC North and NFC’s No. 1 seed in playoffs with:

If the Lions win at MNF…

If the Lions lose to MNF…

Falcons win NFC South with:

Buccaneers win NFC South with:

Win or draw
Falcons loss or draw

Here’s how the top 15 picks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft stack up ahead of Monday night’s game:

New England Patriots: 3-13 record; .447 Strength of Schedule
Tennessee Titans: 3-13; .510
Cleveland Browns: 3-13, .531
New York Giants: 3-13, .535
Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-12, .475
Carolina Panthers: 4-12, .496
New York Jets: 4-12, .502
Las Vegas Raiders: 4-12, .539
Chicago Bears: 4-12, .545
New Orleans Saints: 5-11, .504
San Francisco 49ers: 6-9, .554
Indianapolis Colts: 7-9, .471
Dallas Cowboys: 7-9, .508
Arizona Cardinals: 7-9, .547
Miami Dolphins: 8-8, .427

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl wins with six.

The 49ers have appeared in a total of eight Super Bowls and have five rings, most recently in Super Bowl XXIX in the 1994 season. Since then, the 49ers have lost three Super Bowls, twice to the Kansas City Chiefs and also to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Lions are one of four NFL teams that have never participated in a Super Bowl. However, the Lions were a strong team before the advent of the Super Bowl, winning four NFL championships, including three in the 1950s.

NFL franchises with the most Super Bowl wins:

➤ Super Bowl Winners: All-time scores, NFL title game results

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➤ The best (and worst) of NFL Week 17: Playoff picture and draft order come into greater focus

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Result, Highlights of MNF for Week 17

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