Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions have their sights on the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC Playoffs, but first must contend with Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup. 

When it comes to attaining the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Lions (13-2) must beat the Vikings (14-2) in a massive Week 18 showdown. This game has no implication on that quest. The Niners (6-9), meanwhile, are playing out the season. 

The latest Lions vs. 49ers NFL odds have Detroit at -3.5, with an Over/Under of 50.5 points. 

Bookies.com veteran NFL handicapper Adam Thompson – who has hit on a whopping 60.2% of his NFL picks five years running, reveals his plays for MNF Week 17. 

Lions vs. 49ers Football Betting Predictions

Lions vs. 49ers Point Spread

The Lions are in the upper echelon of the NFL for 2024. They lead the league in scoring and have just one blemish since Week 2, a 48-42 classic vs. Josh Allen’s Bills. They’re also a great road-covering team, at 6-1 ATS. The Niners have dropped five of six with an offense that has not held up. 

But all of a sudden, this game means nothing toward the Lions’ main goals. Now, a team that’s suffered key injuries, especially on defense, can take a breather and ensure it’s ready for the big one next week. There’s been no indication at this time that’s the case, but if you’re coach Dan Campbell, and some guys needed a breather, wouldn’t you offer one. 

San Fran’s defense has been playing very well, especially against the pass. Plus, Detroit’s defense has felt the effect of injuries lately, allowing 32 ppg the last three weeks. We like the Niners with a solid hook at 3.5, especially given that we don’t know Detroit’s full intentions. 

Lions vs. 49ers Over/Under

This 50.5-point total is high, but the Lions rank No. 1 in the NFL in scoring (32.9 ppg) and their defense is trending in the wrong direction. The last three Detroit games have totaled 51, 90 and 65 points. 

But the Niners can’t keep up in a shootout. The offense scored 38 vs. the hapless Bears three weeks ago, but aside from that is averaging 10.8 ppg the last four other games. A defense that’s finally healthy is holding its own, however. Only two Niners games all year have gone over 51 points. 

It wouldn’t be a shock to see an uptick in scoring from the Niners, but with a downtick from the Lions. It gets us leaning Under on this 50.5-point total. 

Lions vs 49ers Top Player Prop

Jared Goff

This total is far below the 273 ypg Goff has averaged over the course of the season. But since the bye in Week 9, the 49ers haven’t allowed more than 215 pass yards to any opponent. While Campbell said earlier in the week that nothing changes about the gameplan, having nothing to play for this week and everything for next week makes me believe we’ll see alterations. So if we’re backing one of two trends, it’s the Niners’ solid pass defense. 

NFL Odds: Under 258.5 Pass Yards -115 at DraftKings

Sam LaPorta

As solid as the Niners have been against WRs, they’re especially tough on opposing tight ends, allowing just 37.3 yards per game to the position, the third-fewest in the NFL. This number is actually higher than LaPorta’s 42.8 season average. He’s gone Over this total in two of the last three, but in only five of 14 games all season. 

NFL Odds: Under 45.5 Receiving Yards -110 at BetMGM