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.

Here's why the Monday Night Football game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers no longer matters to the playoff picture.

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