Logans Best Bet: Jauan Jennings has become a focal point for the San Fran offense this season, and he’ll rack up plenty of yardage on MNF.
Photo By – Imagn Images. Composite of Jared Goff and Brock Purdy NFL
Even though the San Francisco 49ers won’t be going to the playoffs this season, the Detroit Lions have revenge on their minds for Monday Night Football in Week 17.
Niners receiver Jauan Jennings aims for a big game in Week 17 after leaving the last meeting vs. Detroit with an early concussion, and tonight’s Lions vs. 49ers predictions expect him to do just that.
Here are my best NFL picks for December 30.
Lions vs 49ers spread
Detroit is currently laying -3.5 on the road in Week 17. While that spread is on the other side of the key number of a field goal, it’s short of the undervalued key number of -4.
Motivations for the Niners are mixed, but there’s no doubt what Detroit is playing for on Monday night.
If Dan Campbell’s comments on his team playing to win — no matter the circumstances — weren’t clear, the Lions are trying to protect the No. 1 seed in the NFC and exact a little payback for last season’s crushing loss to San Francisco in the NFC title game. I’d lay the -3.5 with the road chalk.
Lions vs 49ers moneyline
If you’re leaning Lions -3.5, you’re also giving the outright odds the nod. That’s not a bad option, considering books are pricing Detroit on the other side of a field goal.
The current moneyline price has the Lions as -200 favorites, giving them an implied win probability just short of 67%. That said, road favorites between -180 and -200 are just 29-20 SU (59%) since 2020.
Lions vs 49ers Over/Under
This total has come down from the opener of 52.5 points and sits at 50.5 O/U, just a half point short of the key total number of 51 points (third most common combined score).
Detroit’s defense is decimated, leaving the Lions to lean heavily into the offense to keep the team competitive. The 49ers offense has also been hit hard by injuries, leaving many skill players sidelined.
It’s a tough total to figure out, but we’ll lean Over on Monday Night Football.
My best bet
Jauan Jennings Over 62.5 receiving yards (-113 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Jauan Jennings has stepped up for the San Francisco 49ers since WR1 Brandon Aiyuk went down for the season.
Since his return from injury in Week 10, Jennings has watched his snap counts and target share soar, and he’s been the Niners No. 1 option in the second half of the schedule.
After being targeted more than six times only once in his first six games, Jennings has drawn at least seven passes in five of his last seven showings, averaging almost 5.5 receptions for 64.5 yards per game during that span.
He enters Week 17 with a receiving prop of 62.5 yards O/U, which is his shortest total in the past four contests.
Jennings has a solid shot of topping that number, considering the defensive injuries to the Lions’ secondary and Detroit giving up the second-most total yardage to wide receivers entering this week, including the third-most air yards on the season.
Detroit runs an aggressive offensive that blitzes at the second-highest rate, anchoring its coverage in man-to-man schemes. San Francisco QB Brock Purdy and many of his top targets do much better vs. zone coverage, but Jennings is the one 49ers’ wideout that thrives against man.
Player projections for Jennings range from 61 yards to a ceiling of 73 yards and the majority of those models come in north of this receiving yard total of 62.5 O/U.
Given the matchup and game script promises plenty of big plays, my number sits closer to 70 yards from Jennings in Week 17.
The Detroit Lions are playing with plenty of motivators pushing them to victory in Week 17.
Jennings’ projections all sit north of 60 yards, and he’s become the 49ers’ top receiving option since Week 10.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has scored in each of the last two games and was able to hurt the Niners secondary for a solid effort in last season’s NFC Championship.
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Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Since Dan Campbell took over the coach’s whistle in 2021, the Lions are 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS as road favorites in the regular season, including 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS this season. Find more NFL betting trends for Lions vs. 49ers.
Location: | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
Date: | Monday, 12-30, 2024 |
Kickoff: | 8:15 p.m. ET |
TV: | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ |
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