And don't be surprised if the Lions-Vikings winner-take-all finale smashes the Sunday Night Football high mark for this year, either.

The Detroit Lions could have rested their starters on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers with the knowledge that it's a Week 18 tilt with the Minnesota Vikings that will determine the NFC North and the conference's top seed. The San Francisco 49ers, already eliminated from playoff contention, could have also played out the string.

It's a given that Detroit Lions fans tuned into Monday night's win over the San Francisco 49ers. They were not alone, according to ESPN's recap of its broadcast. The Lions vs 49ers produced the biggest audience to watch any Monday Night Football game in 2024.

The NFL has saved the best game of the year for last. When the Week 18 schedule was finally announced at the conclusion of the Week 17 Sunday night game between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders,