SANTA CLARA >> Dan Campbell stood at the podium after Detroit blew a 17-point lead to the 49ers in last season’s NFC title game and talked about how that might have been the Lions’ only shot at reaching the Super Bowl.

The coach knew how difficult it would be to maintain that high level of play through injuries, attrition and with a target on their back as a top contender in the NFC.

Eleven months later as Campbell and the Lions prepare to return to Levi’s Stadium for the first time since that loss, that has proved to be prophetic — for the 49ers instead of Detroit.

The Lions (13-2) head into the rematch tonight with the inside track at the top seed in the NFC playoffs, while the 49ers (6-9) have already been eliminated from postseason contention.

The element of revenge for last season’s 34-31 loss is secondary for Detroit, considering what’s on the line the last two weeks of the season as the Lions are in a battle with the Vikings for the No. 1 seed.

“Anytime we lose, the thought of losing is going to motivate you to not want to lose again, particularly with wherthe ye you were at,” Campbell said. “So, that’s always going to bring its own level of motivation to it. But this is where we’re at in the season, we know that we need another win, we understand where we’re at in the division and the NFC, so I think it’s all encompassing.”

Going deep

Detroit’s faith in Jameson Williams is paying off, taking advantage of his game-breaking abilities with big plays.

Jared Goff heaved an 82-yard touchdown pass over Williams’ shoulders and into his hands in last week’s win at Chicago. Earlier this season, Goff threw 70-, 64- and 52-yard passes for scores to the third-year receiver.

Bag of tricks

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who may have a chance for the second straight offseason to be an NFL head coach, routinely pulls off trick plays and his latest was a doozy.

Goff intentionally stumbled after taking a snap and Jahmyr Gibbs went to the ground as their teammates yelled, “fumble,” to fool the Bears on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta.

“Those make you feel good because everybody is invested in it,” Campbell said. “It’s fun. It’s different.”