Lions playoff picture: Will they bench starters vs. the 49ers on Monday?

So, it’s come to this: no matter what the Detroit Lions do on Monday night in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, they’ll be playing for the NFC North title against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night later this week, per the NFL schedule for Week 18. That also means the winner gets the No. 1 seed and an all-important bye week.

So let’s talk about Monday’s game for a moment: will the Lions bench their starters at some point during the game?

MORE PLAYOFF PICTURE: Here’s a look at where the entire league is at

It really does make sense for this team that’s so banged up. Why risk, say, Jahmyr Gibbs when David Montgomery is out for the season?

Dan Campbell has made it clear the Lions aren’t benching anyone. But he should really think about it if Detroit is up on the Niners at some point.

Dan Campbell on the scenario in which the Lions/49ers won’t impact the standing: “We’re bringing everything we’ve got into this game.”

In other words, they aren’t resting anyone this week no matter what happens in GB/MIN

— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) December 23, 2024