Time: 8: 20, chs. 2, 7.

Line: 49ers by 10.

Vs. spread: Lions 5-8; 49ers 4-9.

Outlook: League scouts say that one of the best performances put on by a quarterback in the second half of the season has been by the Lions' Charlie Batch. In a downtrodden year for Detroit, he is a bright spot for the future. But right now, Detroit is staring at a loss. San Francisco, a playoff berth already in its pocket, believes it can still catch the Falcons for the division title, as remote as that seems. That belief keeps the 49ers hungry, and the Lions are the next meal.

Notable: 49ers have NFL's best record (32-18) on Monday night.

Injuries:

LIONS: Doubtful: DT Darius Holland (ankle). Questionable: S Mark Carrier (foot); DE Marc Spindler (shoulder).

49ERS: Doubtful: S Zack Bronson (hamstring); CB Marquez Pope (ankle). Questionable: DE Brentson Buckner (ankle). Probable: DE Chris Doleman (pectoral); CB Antonio Langham (knee); WR Jerry Rice (knee); T Kirk Scrafford (neck).

Pub Date: 12/14/98