What are the San Francisco 49ers talking about ahead of this week's rematch of the NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara with the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football? Let's find out:

1. The Lions have obviously suffered a lot of attrition in the front seven of their defense, but 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he doesn't see a lot of difference in the defensive scheme and mentality even with all the injuries.

"I've heard about all their injuries, which is a huge credit to them because they have had a ton," Shanahan told 49ers media this week. "I was expecting it to look a lot worse than it actually does.

"They are still the No. 1 team in the league on third down. I think they are No. 6 in red zone. The way they play the run – they've been banged up the most on the D-line and at linebacker – but the way they play the run and the way they rush the passer just individually, they are missing a couple good guys, but collectively they still do it at a very high level."

2. Shanahan said the biggest difference he sees studying Detroit's defense this year compared to the one they faced in the NFC Championship Game last year is the talent level in the secondary.

"Their coverage is a lot better," he admitted.

Shanahan thinks that makes them more advanced on defense vs. last season.

3. Credit 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy for not using injuries on offense as an excuse for his play or the play of the 49ers overall after they were eliminated from the playoffs with a loss to Miami last week.

Purdy said his mindset is that he should be elevating this offense and the guys around him, and they should score more points to give his team a chance to win, which is his goal and mindset going into Monday night vs. Detroit.

4. 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said one of the things that's difficult about playing the Lions and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the unknown.

"They have great talent everywhere," he said. "Ben Johnson is a really good coordinator. He knows exactly what he's doing and knows how to gameplan for you and then he's got his wrinkles that everyone sees and those big highlight plays that are so creative, so it's a tough task. They have great scheme and great coaching all the way around."

5. Sorensen said Detroit has the best offensive line in football in his evaluation of them on tape.

6. With the 49ers being officially eliminated from playoff contention, Shanahan confirmed that several injured players will be shut down for the remainder of the season including left tackle Trent Williams, left guard Aaron Banks and tackle Jaylon Moore. Shanahan said linebacker Dre Greenlaw also won't play the final two games of 2024.

7. Purdy said the 49ers have to be ready for the emotion Detroit is going to come into this game with and match it after Detroit lost the NFC Championship Game to the 49ers last year. Purdy said they know what that feeling is like losing in that game the previous year to Philadelphia. Purdy said they might not be playing for the playoffs, but they are playing for pride at home and to finish strong and have fun on a national stage on Monday Night Football.

8. Purdy said the thing he respects the most about Detroit's defense is the way they play together as a unit and find a way to get it done, despite the injuries.