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.

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

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.

Coach Kyle Shanahan offered an update on Purdy's injury on Tuesday, sharing that the quarterback has a right elbow bruise with some nerve inflammation. He avoided any major elbow injury, which is good news for 49ers fans.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had his rookie campaign in 2022 ended with an elbow injury, and the former "Mr. Irrelevant" will likely be shut down in 2024 due to another elbow issue. However,

Joshua Dobbs will start the season finale at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers with starter Brock Purdy out with an elbow injury