Video: Jauan Jennings, Kerby Joseph flag in altercation during 49ers vs. Lions | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on December 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Monday’s game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers is largely meaningless in the NFC standings, but don’t tell the players.

Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph and 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings were both called for personal fouls during something of a scuffle in the first quarter. The incident started when Jennings blocked on a play and continued to do so after the whistle and in the back of the end zone:

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Kerby Joseph and Jauan Jennings were both called for personal foul penalties after the whistle in this game.#DETvsSF | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/HwBbWGhdd8

The play occurred on San Francisco’s first drive of the game and resulted in tying penalties as the home team attempted to score on a goal-to-go situation. San Francisco ended up scoring the game’s first touchdown on the ensuing play when Brock Purdy found Ricky Pearsall for six.

It showed that players on both teams are still playing hard, even if there are not many stakes.

San Francisco has already been eliminated from playoff contention at 6-9, while Detroit’s playoff seeding fate will be decided by its Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Even though the Lions entered play Monday with a 13-2 record, they will still be in a winner-take-all situation against Minnesota. The winner of that game becomes the NFC North champion and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, while the loser drops to no. 5-seed and will be away in the Wild Card round.

Detroit won the first matchup against the Vikings in Minnesota and will be at home this time, though it has dealt with injuries throughout the season and is dealing with a red-hot opponent that enters the rematch on a nine-game winning streak.

Avoiding costly penalties against the Vikings will be far more important for the Lions than Monday’s matchup with the 49ers, although the one involving Joseph and Jennings at least tied the score.