Lions at 49ers, Week 17 ‘ESPN MNF’ game prediction, open thread

The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers are set to conduct business this evening under the lights of ESPN Monday Night Football. At the outset of the 2024 NFL season, this was a matchup many had circled on their football calendars — given last year’s playoff meeting between the two teams.

Reality had other plans, which included a massive amount of injury for the Niners to contend with this season. As such, the 49ers landed in fourth among NFC West teams and squarely out of the NFL Playoff race with a current record of 6-9.

Meanwhile, Detroit continues its magical season, boasting a 13-2 record and hoping to win this evening to keep pace with their NFC North foes in the Minnesota Vikings,…