49ers vs. Lions for MNF: Preview and Betting Odds

Week 17 of the NFL concludes with the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions, who are chasing the top spot in the NFC.

The 49ers are coming off a 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins and will look to bring some joy to their fans in their last home game of the season.

The Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears 34-17 and remain atop the NFC standings, aiming to secure their direct passage to the divisional round.

Why bet on the San Francisco 49ers?

A season to forget for the San Francisco 49ers—no one expected this from them. After reaching the Super Bowl last year, expectations were high for them to maintain their level of performance, especially with a well-rested Brock Purdy. But the reality turned out to be the opposite. Their 6-9 record has them sitting last in the NFC West after two consecutive years of winning the division.

They are coming off a 29-17 loss to the Dolphins, marking their second straight defeat after falling at home to the Los Angeles Rams in what was a decisive matchup. Four losses in five weeks are not the numbers of a playoff-caliber team.

This past weekend, Purdy delivered a decent performance with 26 completions on 40 attempts, achieving two touchdowns and 313 yards. However, he has only managed 17 touchdowns this season—a number far below expectations. The offense averages 22.1 points per game, ranking 16th in the league.

This contrasts with the team’s defense, which has allowed the second-fewest yards, averaging 304.3 per game, second only to the Philadelphia Eagles (281.7).

Their record at home this year has been 4-4.

Why bet on the Detroit Lions?

On the other hand, the Detroit Lions are having an outstanding season, with a 13-2 record that places them at the top of the NFC alongside the Minnesota Vikings, whom they will face in the final week of the regular phase. Securing the top seed in their conference would allow them to advance directly to the divisional round and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

After their loss to the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago, they bounced back this weekend with a 17-34 victory on the road against the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 336 yards and three touchdowns, giving him 13 touchdowns over his last four games. In total, he has 33 TD this season, placing him fourth on the list of most touchdown passes, behind Joe Burrow (39), Lamar Jackson (39), and Baker Mayfield (34). Additionally, his 71% completion rate (22.5) is the second-best in the NFL.

Another standout player has been Amon-Ra St. Brown, who scored another touchdown this week, bringing his total to 11 this season and ranking him third for most touchdown receptions. On the defensive side, Kerby Joseph leads the NFL in interceptions with seven, although he hasn’t recorded one in the last five games.

Notably, the Lions boast a 7-0 record on the road this season.

Final Betting Analysis: San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions

The last time these teams faced off was on January 28 of this year during the conference finals. The Detroit Lions were leading 7-24 at halftime but ended up losing 34-31 in one of the most incredible comebacks in recent years.

The 49ers have an impressive streak of 14 consecutive home victories against this opponent. The last time they lost to the Lions at home was in 1975.

The odds at Gambyl Exchange favor the Detroit Lions, with a Moneyline of 1.55, while the San Francisco 49ers are at 2.6.

There is no doubt that the level of these two teams, both expected to compete for the conference title months ago, is vastly different. The Detroit Lions are in the hunt for the NFC’s number-one seed and are expected to secure the victory. Go for the OVER.

Go for a win for the 49ers. If you bet $100 at 1.55, you will gain $55 for a total payout of $155.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Pick: 49ers