Lions seek top seed more than revenge - Marin Independent Journal

49ERS

Lions seek top seed more than revenge

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Lions smiles Sunday, Dec. 22, in Chicago. ERIN HOOLEY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The 49ers’ Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) causes Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs to fumble in last season’s NFC Championship. JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

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By Josh Dubow

The Associated Press

SANTA CLARA >> Dan Campbell stood at the podium after Detroit blew a 17-point lead to San Francisco 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 San Francisco instead of Detroit.

The Lions (13-2) head into the rematch Monday night 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. The Lions can clinch the top seed in the NFC by winning their final two games or with a win against the Niners if Minnesota loses to Green Bay on Sunday.

“Anytime we lose, the thought of losing is going to motivate you to not want to lose again, particularly with where 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.”

While the Lions have no need to search for motivation, that’s not the case for the 49ers, who are playing out the string of a lost season after making losing back-to-back NFC title games in 2021-22 and the Super Bowl last season.

A run of injuries to key players like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk, combined with inconsistent play all season have led to the 49ers having nothing to play for in the final two games.

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.

“We work on it a ton, him and I do, and it’s a testament to him,” Goff said. “He’s asking for it. He wants that work, and I’m more than happy to give it to him during the week.”