49ERS TODAY
Published: Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 7:05 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 11:12 p.m.
Vs. Detroit Lions, 1:05 p.m.
TV: Ch. 2 Radio: KNBR 1050-AM, KSAN 107.7-FM
THE LINE: 49ers by 4
THE SERIES: The 49ers lead series, 33-27-1, including victories in the past five meetings from 1996.
LAST MEETING: RB Frank Gore ran for 159 yards and a touchdown to lead the 49ers to a 19-13 victory at Ford Field on Nov. 12, 2006. QB Alex Smith completed 14 of 20 passes for 136 yards in the game.
INJURY REPORT
Lions: DT Cory Redding (ankle), LB Jordon Dizon (neck) and DE Corey Smith (hamstring) are questionable; S Gerald Alexander (concussion), DT Langston Moore (groin) and QB Drew Stanton are probable.
49ers: T Jonas Jennings (right shoulder) and CB Shawntae Spencer (left knee) are out; CB Donald Strickland (left knee) is questionable.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Lions are winless, and they could be buried early in the NFC North. The 49ers are coming off an overtime road win against the Seahawks. They need this winnable game before facing New Orleans, New England, Philadelphia and the New York Giants in consecutive weeks.
SPOTTING TRENDS
LIONS (0-2): Detroit has one of the most dysfunctional outfits in sports. The Lions’ last winning season was in 2000. Since then, they’ve fallen on hard times under GM Matt Millen. Coach Rod Marinelli wants his team to be run the ball, control the clock and keep his defense off the field. But that philosophy has not come to fruition in the first two games. The Lions have fallen behind 21-0 in the first quarters of both games (losses to Atlanta and Green Bay). So they’ve again had to turn to QB Jon Kitna to throw, throw and throw. Through two games, the Lions have attempted 86 passes (including eight sacks) and run the ball just 33 times. Detroit wants to be able to use rookie RB Kevin Smith, but he has just 88 yards on 26 carries. The Lions are dangerous in the pass game. Kitna has a strong stable of receivers, including Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey. Johnson has 13 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
49ERS (1-1): Mike Martz was fired as Lions’ offensive coordinator because he didn’t run the ball enough. Well, it’s easier to run the ball when you have a player such as Frank Gore in your backfield. Martz is now in charge of the 49ers’ offense, and you can bet he had fun putting together today’s game plan. Martz might try to run the ball down the throats of the Lions’ defense with Gore. Martz has a number in his mind of how often he wants Gore to touch the ball (it’s probably somewhere around 25 times a game). But Martz has always been in love with the passing game. With QB J.T. O’Sullivan, the 49ers finally have the ability to throw the ball to keep defenses honest. That means Gore will not be the sole focus of opposing defenses. There should be room to run for Gore. The Lions have given up 441 yards and four touchdowns rushing in two games.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I think it gives us on the offense an idea of where we want to go. We’re a long way from it. There are a lot of things we need to do better and do consistently to improve in this league. The win, it was a big-time win on the road. But it’s done now.”
— 49ers QB J.T. O’Sullivan on beating Seattle
THE LIONS WILL WIN IF . . . Their offensive line is able to protect Kitna and provide holes in the run game.
THE 49ERS WILL WIN IF . . . They avoid crippling mistakes and Gore gets his hands on the ball at least 25 times.
KEY MATCHUPS
49ers CB Nate Clements vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
Clements is giving up 5 inches in height to Johnson, an explosive second-year player who has emerged into Kitna’s favorite target in the passing game.
FB Zak Keasey vs. LB Ernie Sims
Keasey is athletic enough to change direction and block a moving target. He’ll try to lead the way through the hole for Gore against Sims, the Lions’ leading best defender.
DE Parys Haralson vs. RT George Foster
On third downs, Haralson has to get pressure on Kitna. He’ll be up against 338-pound Foster, a former first-round pick who’s in his second season with the Lions.
Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
Comments are currently unavailable on this article