Lions vs 49ners preview

Lions vs. 49ners

The 49ners come off an impressive win against the Packers at Lambeau Field showing  the same dominant defense it played last year and same good running game add along to the mix was the new weapons Randy moss caught a td pass and Alex Smith has a very good game. The Lions 1 year after finally making it to the playoffs after a long absence came out flat against the rams and Stafford played horrible for the most part but was able to lead the Lions to the game winning td drive in the final seconds.

Key Matchups

49ners front 7 of Justin Smith Aldon Smith Willis and Bowman Vs. The Lions Offensive line

The 49ners great front 7 put pressure in Rodgers face most of the game and made tackles that so the packer’s skill players couldn’t turn any catches into big gains. The Lions are a primarily a passing team and the Lions will have to make sure Matt Stafford stays up on his feet if they want to beat the 49ners.

Veron Davis vs. Louis Delmas

Veron Davis Caught a td pass in the opener and did his usual solid blocking to help the 49ners running game but it’s his receiving ability that makes him so dangerous as he is too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties it will be up to the lions safeties primarily Delmas to try and contain the explosive Davis.

Randy Moss and Michael Crabtree vs. Chris Houston and Bill Bentley

Randy Moss caught a td on opening day and looks like he still has something left in the tank corner was a weak spot for the lions especially at giving up big plays so Houston and Bentley will need to play tight coverage on Moss and Crabtree and take away the outside game of the 49ners.

Key Matchups

Ndamukong Suh and Cliff Avril Vs. the 49ners offensive line

Suh and Avril are the best players on the talented lions d line and they first need to make sure they stop the run of frank gore and try to put Alex Smith in long third and longs and make him beat them with long  throws down the field. The 49ners offensive line good great push against the packers and gore and company ran all over them but they did allow Clay Matthews to sack Smith 2.5 times on Sunday

Calvin Johnson vs. the Entire 49ners secondary

The 49ners where able to contain the packers collection of talented wrs on Sunday but now they face the best wr in the NFL in Calvin Johnson and I’m sure they will use all sorts of double teams to try and stop Johnson.

Brandon Pettigrew vs. Patrick Willis

Pettigrew has become one of Stafford’s favorite targets the big tight end can get in between seems and has good hands and is a red zone threat. Willis is the best LB in the NFL not only because of his ability to play the run or getting to the qb but also because he does a great job at covering backs and tight ends and I’m sure he will be one of the main guys covering Pettigrew.

Prediction 49ners 27 Lions 17 The Lions are a 1 dimensional team and why I do think they will be able to get a few big plays in the secondary I also think that the lions front 7 will get to Stafford and put some hits on him and force a couple errant throws which the 49ners playing making secondary can get some interception opportunities. Alex Smith played well last week and against a suspect Lions secondary I think he will be allowed to take a few more deep throws to Moss and Davis.