As the season nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions are 13-2 and working to secure the number one seed. This week, they face the 49ers in a crucial matchup that could either clinch the top seed and division title with a Vikings loss, or, if the Vikings win, render the game “meaningless,” with all the stakes shifting to Week 18.
A recent question has emerged: Should the Lions rest their starters in the game against the 49ers to ensure they enter the playoffs fully healthy?
The answer is a firm “no.” While circumstances can change, Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s recent comments make it clear that the team is unlikely to rest its starters unless absolutely necessary.
“You want to make sure that you end on a good note. You’re playing good, efficient football. The guys feel good about it. You’re in a rhythm. I think it bleeds into the next week, and I think that’s important. So we did that, and then the right time is to pull them out there, you know, if you’re able to pull them out in the early fourth grade, and we were able to do that. But if you’re asking me to pull somebody out the third quarter, or you’re asking me to pull somebody out right before the second quarter before Anzalone gets hurt, I’m never going to do that, ever.”
The key takeaway from Campbell’s statement is his belief that maintaining good play in one week carries over to the next. If that’s the case, resting starters in the 49ers game could disrupt that momentum. While staying healthy is important, losing rhythm could have a detrimental effect.
Finally, when asked about potentially resting starters in Week 18 last season, when the Lions had already secured the NFC North and couldn’t improve their playoff seeding, Campbell’s answer was direct:
“When we’re done with the season, they’re going to rest. I promise you that, they’re going to get plenty of time off.”
That statement leaves little room for doubt. Don’t expect the Lions to give younger players a chance to start in the final game of the season.
