The Detroit Lions have an important date with the Minnesota Vikings. But before that Week 18 tilt, they still have to go through the San Francisco 49ers. In a mostly meaningless game, is it worth resting some starters?

The Detroit Lions have a (nearly) meaningless game ahead of them on Monday night. Regardless of a win or loss against the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions will have their postseason placement determined by the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. A victory gives Detroit the first seed in the entire NFC, but a loss sends them tumbling to a mere Wild Card spot as the fifth seed—and potentially no home playoff game. Unless the Lions and Vikings tie in Week 18, the outcome of the 49ers game will not affect Detroit.

Despite the low stakes, should the Lions still trot out their starters? Already battered with injuries this season, losing any starting-caliber player in a pointless game would be a devastating blow to Detroit. With multiple players close to returning from the injury, this is the time for the Lions to get healthy, not more hurt.

There are factors against resting your starters, however. For one, you can only rest so many players. Of the 53 players on the active roster, only 47 or 48 of them can be active on game day—in order to have 48 players, eight offensive linemen must be active. David Montgomery has already been ruled out, so the Lions will have limited roster spots to rest starters. Dressing a starter but benching them is not a solution either, since most players on the game day roster see the field in some capacity—teams need those bodies.

The alternative is to rest a select few starters. Given the health of Montgomery, would it make sense to rest Jahmyr Gibbs to ensure at least one of the dangerous backfield is healthy? How about resting Jared Goff or Penei Sewell, unquestionably two of the most important parts of the Lions offense. Resting them would also give the opportunity to lesser experienced players. Hendon Hooker could get some regular season action, while Giovanni Manu or Colby Sorsdal could receive some low-stakes reps at tackle if they are made active.

While the risk of injury favors resting some starters, the risk of rust is also worth considering. The Lions will be playing the Vikings on a short week due to the Monday night game, meaning they will have one fewer day to prepare. Starters like Goff have been warriors this season, but there is always a chance that resting them for a game could throw them off. This is not like a bye, where coaches and players can comfortably look towards the game ahead. The coaches and most of the players will still be focused on the 49ers. With important playoff seeding on the line, do you want players that have not seen game reps for two weeks?

Today’s Question of the Day is:

Should the Detroit Lions rest their starters against the San Francisco 49ers?

My answer: No.

This is, quite frankly, a moot question because the decision has already been made: the starters will play, per Dan Campbell. However, there is one point that illustrates why resting the starters was never going to happen: the Detroit Lions are not built like that.

Giving it all and treating every game like your last has been the mentality for these Campbell-led Lions, and it has worked wonders. Too many times under previous regimes the Lions came into a very winnable game and ended up looking completely unprepared. Under Campbell, the Lions have demonstrated unprecedented levels of fight. They pulled off an incredible comeback against the Houston Texans in a situation that many lesser teams and lesser coaches would have folded. Even when their defense was outclassed by the Buffalo Bills, the Lions still came within striking distance. Detroit has had its fair share of game-winning field goal drives carried by a never-say-die mindset. Despite an absurd number of injuries, the Lions have continued to put forth competitive efforts even with a ragtag roster. This team takes their punches.

Resting some starters would go against everything that the Lions stand for. In a perfect, simulated world, yes, it would make sense to rest important starters in a meaningless game. Yet we are in reality with Campbell at the helm. The Lions are where they are due to his leadership and decision making. To question the mentality that has built such a successful and cohesive team is foolhardy.

If the game turns into a blowout, the leash for some starters might be shorter than usual. Until that point is reached, expect everyone on that roster to treat the 49ers like any other foe.

Your turn.