SANTA CLARA — At stake tonight for the 49ers and the Lions are two very contrasting elements.
The 49ers (6-9) can secure last place in the NFC West — and, conceivably, an easier schedule next season — by losing this game. That renders Sunday’s regular-season finale at the Arizona Cardinals (7-9) mostly moot, aside from draft position, which is currently 11th.
The Lions (13-2) can’t really enhance their playoff stature, seeing how they will be either the NFC’s No. 1 or No. 5 seed depending on the outcome of next Sunday night’s game at home against the Minnesota Vikings (14-2). If that regular-season finale (Game No. 272) ends in a draw between the Lions and the Vikings, then the tiebreaker for the NFC North title and No. 1 seed will be based on whether the Lions win or lose this game against the 49ers.
Levi’s Stadium’s 11th season has seen the 49ers go 4-4 to this point. The wins came over the New York Jets (32-19), the New England Patriots (30-13), the Dallas Cowboys (30-24), and the Chicago Bears (38-13). The defeats were to the Cardinals (24-23), the Kansas City Chiefs (28-18), the Seattle Seahawks (20-17), and the Los Angeles Rams (12-6).
INACTIVE LIST
The 49ers have already ruled out linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) cornerback Charvarius Ward (personal), defensive end Robert Beal (ankle), and, guard Spencer Burford (calf).
GAME-DAY TRANSACTIONS
Cornerback Tre Avery was claimed off waivers from the Tennessee Titans.
For a second straight game, defensive lineman Alex Barrett was elevated from the practice squad. Also called up was undrafted rookie center Drake Nugent, who last suited up for a meaningful game in Michigan’s national championship win over Washington.
Rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune was activated off injured reserve, which is where the 49ers moved left guard Aaron Banks because of a knee injury in last Sunday’s loss at Miami.
SCHEDULE OUTLOOK
The 49ers’ 2025 opponents won’t be fully known until Sunday, with three still to be determined based on their respective division finishes, and that includes Levi’s Stadium visit by the NFC North counterpart (Chicago) and road trips to presumably the last-place teams in the NFC East (New York) and the AFC North (Cleveland).
Non-division opponents also will include home games against Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville and Tennessee; away games are at New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Houston and Indianapolis.
The Los Angeles Rams (10-6) have already dethroned the 49ers as the NFC West champion.
Check back for more pregame updates as they develop.
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