The NFL Week 17 schedule concludes with a repeat of last season’s NFC Championship Game, although only one of the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions remain on course to claim the conference title.
Detroit head to Levi’s Stadium on the back of a 34-17 victory over the Chicago Bears that improved their record to 13-2 and kept them in pole position for the NFC’s top seed.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff continued his impressive form, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns while running back Jahmyr Gibbs added 154 yards from scrimmage.
Meanwhile, the 49ers will be smarting from a 29-17 defeat against the Miami Dolphins, which finally ruled them out of playoff contention.
San Francisco will look to salvage some pride when they host a Lions team out to avenge their defeat in last season’s NFC title game.
We’ve prepared a three-leg bet builder suggestion for the match that pays out at 7/1.
San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions tips
- Detroit Lions to win
- Jared Goff over 274.5 passing yards
- Deebo Samuel over 59.5 receiving yards
- Bet Builder odds: 7/1
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Lions can secure crucial road win
The Lions are looking to build on their franchise-record seven road victories this season and they will have had this game on their minds since letting a 24-7 half-time lead slip against the 49ers in January.
Dan Campbell’s team have consistently shown they can live up to expectations even in hostile environments.
Goff engineered an eight-play, 44-yard scoring drive that resulted in Jake Bates’ 44-yard field goal that beat the Minnesota Vikings in their stadium earlier this season.
And the kicker made a clutch 52-yarder as time expired to beat the Houston Texans a few weeks later as the Lions somehow overcame the quarterback’s five interceptions in the game.
They’ll face a 49ers squad missing several key offensive linemen, including their top two left tackles and left guards.
Those absences could severely hamper San Francisco’s ability to protect quarterback Brock Purdy and establish their running game.
Detroit’s defense, while not elite, has improved to seventh in points allowed and should be able to capitalise on these mismatches.
Goff to surpass passing yardage
The 49ers may still boast the league’s third-ranked pass defense, but the unit’s play over the past two weeks has been pretty unspectacular.
San Francisco have registered zero sacks and forced no turnovers in their last two games.
If they fail to generate any pressure on Lions quarterback Goff, who is third in the league for passing yards, then Detroit could have a big day.
Goff is averaging exactly 273 passing yards per game this year and has thrown for 275 yards or more eight times, including in each of the Lions’ last three games.
The former Cal star returns to the Bay Area and will be motivated to put on a show.
He has three huge receiving weapons at his disposal in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta to exploit any weaknesses in the 49ers’ secondary.
Samuel to shine in losing effort
While the 49ers may be struggling, Deebo Samuel remains a dynamic playmaker capable of breaking loose at any moment.
Samuel recorded 121 yards from scrimmage last week against Miami and should see plenty of targets as San Francisco will probably be playing catch-up at some point in this contest.
With Detroit’s pass defense ranking 27th in the league, Samuel could find ample opportunities to surpass 60 receiving yards, even in a losing effort.
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All odds correct at time of writing
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