In a captivating Monday Night Football clash, the Detroit Lions fearlessly rolled out their starters against the San Francisco 49ers, emerging victorious in a 40-34 thriller that held immense playoff implications. Coach Dan Campbell’s bold decision to go “full throttle” with his top players paid off handsomely, as the Lions not only avenged last season’s heartbreaking NFC Championship loss but also positioned themselves for a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Lions Roar with Pride and Purpose
For the Lions, this game was about more than just Week 17 standings—it was a chance to exorcise the demons of their gut-wrenching collapse in last year’s NFC title game, where they squandered a 17-point halftime lead on this very same Levi’s Stadium turf. That bitter taste of defeat still lingered, fueling a determined Detroit squad that refused to hold anything back.
“I really wanted that get back,” proclaimed Lions safety Kerby Joseph, who hauled in two crucial interceptions. “I feel like we came in here last year and they beat us, so I still had that chip on my shoulder from last year.”
– Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions Safety
Campbell’s Gutsy Call
Coach Campbell wrestled with the decision to play his starters, knowing the risk of injury in a game that held no playoff implications for his team. Yet, in the end, he chose to put his best foot forward, believing it was the right thing to do for his team and the competitive spirit of the game.
“Yeah, it was on my mind, and I thought a lot about it… but I ended up settling on the right thing to do was to play these guys because we owed it to the team,” Campbell explained post-game. “It was just one of those positions we were in. It’s hard to say who you’re going to sit and it’s not fair to ask guys to play that hadn’t been prepared to play.”
– Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Head Coach
Goff Shines in Golden State Homecoming
Lions quarterback Jared Goff, a California native, dazzled in his return to the Golden State, throwing for 303 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His stellar performance tied a franchise record for most games with three passing TDs in a season, matching Matthew Stafford‘s mark from 2011.
Goff, who knew early in the week that he and the starters would play, embraced the opportunity to compete and get redemption against the team that ended their season a year ago. “I’m sure that’s tough for him, but I think that’s the only way we know,” Goff said of Campbell’s decision. “It’s just go and find a way to win.”
A Fairytale Finish Awaits
With this statement victory, the Lions now turn their attention to a massive Week 18 showdown against the Minnesota Vikings. At stake is the NFC North crown and the conference’s top seed, which would secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“This is what you’re in it for, man. Ultimately, this is it,” Campbell marveled. “The fact that both teams are sitting at 14-2 and it’s for the division and the 1 seed. It just doesn’t get any better than that. It’s like this is fairytale stuff.”
– Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Head Coach
Indeed, a fairytale finish awaits these Lions, who have defied expectations and are now poised to capitalize on an opportunity that Campbell believes “you couldn’t write a better scenario” for.
Their roar echoed through Levi’s Stadium on Monday night, a resounding statement that these Lions are ready to pounce on their moment of destiny. With unwavering determination and a no-holds-barred approach, Detroit has set the stage for an epic finale—one that could propel them from heartbreak to hardware in the span of a season.
