Lions Announce Big Rest Decision for Week 17 Matchup
By Cem Yolbulan
After Sunday's win over the Bears, the Detroit Lions improved to 13-2 for the season. They have officially won more games than any other season in franchise history. However, they still have more work to do to clinch the top seed in the NFC and earn home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Lions are one win ahead of the Eagles and tied with the Vikings heading into the last two weeks of the season. As long as the Lions win one more game, they will finish above Philadelphia because they own the tiebreaker over them.
The race with Minnesota is a little more complicated. If the Lions beat the 49ers and the Vikings lose to the Packers in Week 17, Detroit clinches the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed. If Minnesota and Detroit win, the two teams will play a winner-takes-all game in Week 18.
However, what makes things more fascinating is that the Vikings play a day before the Lions this week. The Vikings host the Packers on Sunday, and if they win, the Lions don't have much to play for against San Francisco on Monday. They could rest their players, lose to the 49ers, and still clinch the top seed if they beat the Vikings in Week 18 since they would have the tiebreaker over them after sweeping the season series.
But Lions head coach Dan Campbell has no plans to do that. On Tuesday, Campbell announced that he wouldn't rest his starters against the 49ers even if the Vikings beat the Packers the day before and added, "We are bringing everything we've got to this game."
Lions News: Dan Campbell Refuses to Rest Starters in Week 17
If the Vikings beat the Packers in Week 17 — before Detroit’s MNF game vs. the 49ers — the Lions can’t clinch the division or the No. 1 seed until they play Minnesota in Week 18.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) December 23, 2024
Don’t expect Dan Campbell to rest his starters.
“We’re bringing everything we’ve got to this game.” pic.twitter.com/VgJo9otoDz
For anyone who knows Campbell, this shouldn't come as a surprise. The Lions head coach has an intensity unmatched in the NFL. He is the last coach in the league who would want his team to take its foot off the gas.
At the same time, the Lions could really use the additional rest. They have been more banged up than almost any team in the NFL, especially on the defensive end.
Therefore, taking a week off and focusing on the Vikings game if there isn't much to play for on Monday could be the smart move. Whether Campbell has a change of heart about this remains to be seen but it's certainly a fascinating coaching decision.
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