To kick off the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, the San Francisco 49ers hosted military families and veterans at the SAP Performance Facility for a behind-the-scenes practice experience.
The event honored the sacrifices of service members and their loved ones, featuring families and veterans connected to three partner organizations: the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Guests represented all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and included families of fallen heroes, wounded veterans, and active-duty service members.
The day began with breakfast in the 49ers Café, where president of football operations and general manager John Lynch welcomed the group and shared his appreciation for the military community.
“We’re very grateful to our military. Without you guys, we don’t get to experience the freedoms that we do,” Lynch said. “A lot that goes into football and sport and life in my mind goes to how much you’re willing to sacrifice, and nobody demonstrates that more than military and their families. Sometimes the families are the forgotten ones because you guys sacrifice a lot. Our hearts go out to you, and hopefully we can pick up your spirits here today.”
Following breakfast, guests were escorted to the field to watch the team’s walk-through practice ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
After practice, 49ers players met with the visiting families, signing autographs and learning more about their stories. Among the players greeting guests was running back Christian McCaffrey, the team’s 2025 nominee for the NFL Salute to Service Award. McCaffrey, whose foundation 23 and Troops provides mental and physical health support for veterans, spent time connecting with the families and expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
The participating families and veterans returned to Levi’s® Stadium for the 49ers Salute to Service game, where they were recognized during the matchup.
Fans can support McCaffrey’s Salute to Service Award nomination by voting at nfl.com/causes/salute/nominees/2025/vote. Voting is open through November 30.
The Detroit Lions showed their stuff with a lopsided 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9, on the road, and that took away a bit of the sting of losing to NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings the week prior. While it was a great to get a win against Washington, now, the Lions are looking ahead to a contest against the reigning NFL champions: the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Lions and Eagles go up against each other on Sunday, November 16, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles have a 7-2 record going into the game, while the Lions are 6-3, and both teams are being called among the best in the NFL for the 2025-26 season.
“It’s a great place to play,” Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit about playing in Philadelphia under the bright lights. He almost channeled his inner Metallica, noting, “I mean, it’s electric. Had batteries thrown at us, spit on. It’s just the classic stuff. It’s probably the most hostile place to play.”
So, Campbell is ready to take on the Eagles on the road, and so is quarterback Jared Goff. While Goff isn’t a flashy name like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, he’s quietly been winning this season when it comes to his statistics.
On Wednesday, November 12, the team took to social media to announce Goff’s numbers from this season. According to NFL research, Goff is first in the entire league in completion at 74%. He’s also second in passing touchdowns at 20, passer rating at 117.7 and passing first down at 41.4%, plus fourth in passing touchdowns at 7.3% and fifth in yards per attempt at 8.19.
Goff will take those numbers into the Eagles contest. Sunday’s game will mark the first time these teams have played since the 2022-23 season. The Lions and Eagles almost went up against each other in last season’s NFC championship game, but the Lions were upset by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Lions are slight underdogs in Sunday’s game, and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports predicts an Eagles 31, Lions 27 final score.
“The Lions are playing consecutive road games, while the Eagles are playing on a short week,” he notes in the feature, out on Wednesday, November 12. “That kind of cancels them out. The Eagles have had trouble scoring, while the Lions rolled up big numbers last week. But at home, look for the Eagles defense to slow down the Lions, while the Eagles get their offense going for the win.”
In the NFL’s official Week 11 power rankings, out on Tuesday, November 11, the Eagles are No. 4 on the tally, and the Lions are No. 5. So, yes, this game is going to be tight.
“Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling, and the Lions had arguably their most productive showing of the season on that side of the ball,” Eric Edholm says of the Lions’ win over the Commanders last Sunday. But, he adds, “Tougher challenges await, but the Lions gave a reminder that they can still go nuclear when they’re on.”