MichiganCardinal

Green Bay was eliminated from contention for the NFC North title today with Detroit's win, but will still clinch a playoff berth this week so long as they beat New Orleans tomorrow. Interestingly, if Green Bay wins out, and Detroit beats Minnesota in Week #18, Green Bay would hold the tiebreaker over Minnesota. At that point they would have split the season series and both be 3-3 in the division. In common games, Green Bay would be 11-3, while Minnesota would be 10-4. The Rams would make the difference. Kind of crazy that a 13-2 Vikings team could still very realistically end up the #6 seed. This is all to say though, presuming that Green Bay would prefer to be the #5 seed over the #6 seed, they definitely still have something to play for, even if they beat New Orleans tomorrow night. I may make a special edition GDT for that game.

vs. Setting: 12/30/2024 8:15pm EST on ABC & ESPN Site: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA Weather: 61° High / 44° Low, 7% chance of rain, 8mph wind Opening Spread: Lions -3 All-Time Series Record: 49ers lead, 40-28-1 Last Meeting: 01/28/2024, 49ers won 34-31 (2024 NFC Championship) San Francisco 49ers (6-9) Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan (8th Season: 70-60) Projected Starting QB: Brock Purdy (3rd Season: 23-12) Last Week: 29-17 L @ Miami Dolphins (7-8) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD @ Arizona Cardinals (7-8) Playoff Implications: Eliminated Your Detroit Lions (13-2) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 37-28-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 79-52-1) Last Week: 34-17 W @ Chicago Bears (4-11) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD v. Minnesota Vikings (13-2) Playoff Implications: Playoffs Clinched; Clinch Division Championship and #1 Seed with W @ San Francisco and Minnesota Vikings L vs. Green Bay Packers Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Seahawks @ Bears (TNF), Falcons @ Commanders (SNF) Christmas Day: Chiefs @ Steelers (1:00), Ravens @ Texans (4:30) Saturday: Chargers @ Patriots (1:00), Broncos @ Bengals (4:30), Cardinals @ Rams (8:15pm) 1:00pm: Colts @ Giants, Jets @ Bills, Titans @ Jaguars, Packers @ Vikings, Raiders @ Saints, Panthers @ Buccaneers 4:25pm: Dolphins @ Browns, Cowboys @ Eagles

While on the topic of bold takes, an offseason trade prediction: Seattle sends a 2nd round pick to Minnesota for JJ McCarthy

Bold take, but I think Green Bay beats Minnesota by 10 next week.

They're a testament to how good you can be in the NFL if you just don't make mistakes. Just taking care of the ball and executing a game plan can be so effective.

Birds are up 4 with 5 minutes left

Geno Smith is not a good quarterback.

Putting a 15-yard taunting penalty on the PAT in a non-weather game is a waste.

In my mind a big difference between the Lions and Eagles is coaching. I think Sirianni is a mediocre coach at best, with a ton of talent on that roster. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles struggle to recover from this game.

We are one (1) Lions win and one (1) Vikings loss away from the one (1) seed.

TOUCHDOWN COMMIES!

Go score another 7 just because you can.

The gun the Bears are using to shoot themselves in the foot has unlimited rounds.

3/3 on 4th down can’t happen in January.

Or not. Decent play call there by Thomas.

Good test for the run defense here.

They remind me of the Darrell Bevell led Lions. Not good.

Caleb Williams thinking he can make the throws that Jared Goff makes.

bUt hE cAn’T tHrOw tHe DeEp BaLl

This looks like the Thanksgiving game, but feels different. The Bears don’t want to be here.

Good call to just hit the 3. You’re the far better team, minimize mistakes and turnovers and you win this game.

They know who Jamo is. They’re expecting him to do something stupid. When he does anything, they feel affirmed and throw the flag. He needs to turn into Barry Sanders for a couple of years and just hand the ball to the official, or it’s going to keep happening. Lucky for us Chicago doesn’t appear to have made the trip. From the locker room.

Per Justin Rogers: I’m guessing we will see Iffy at safety when Branch drops to nickel.

There are two lines to get into this watch party. Real feel in London is -9F. Both lines have wrapped around the arena and met on the other side. Gates don’t open for another ten minutes. Lions Fever is spreading worldwide.

Glasgow is out, only real surprise. Iffy is active.