Lions Week 6 Recap: 49ers are this year's Chicago Bears

Lions Analysis: Lions 20 (5-1) 49ers 26 (5-1)

What Happened:

We got beat by a team that deeply resembles last year’s Chicago Bears team. A team that runs the ball well, is dynamic on Special Teams, plays tough defense, and waits for the other team to beat itself. That is what happened on Sunday. The 49ers offense scored because of a couple long runs by Frank Gore and some long returns by Ted Gin Jr. Defensively the 49ers stopped the Lions offense and harassed Stafford all game long. Lions were bad at all levels: coaching, offense, defense, and special teams. Still, the Lions are 5-1 and shouldn’t get too down on themselves.

Matchup outcomes:

1. Jeff Backus vs. Aldon Smith: Advantage Aldon Smith: Good luck people trying to block him. He is an athletic freak who can beat you with speed and power. It should be noted Backus was destroyed when he blocked Justin Smith as well. Backus had one of the worse games of his career.
2. Frank Gore vs. Lions back seven: Advantage: Gore. Though he was bottled up most of the day: he did what Forte didn’t. He broke long runs that led to the few scores the 49ers had. The 49ers knew they couldn’t drive against the Lions so they were dependent upon these huge runs. Running for more than 200 yards while carrying the ball less than 20 is a huge feat. Lions need to improve versus the run…that falls on the back seven.

3. Calvin Johnson vs. Carlos Rogers: Advantage: Carlos Rogers. Look Calvin Johnson had a good game….but he did not take over. Most of that was because of the pass rush and Stafford’s inefficiency: but Carlos did what no one has this year, keep Calvin out of the end zone.
4. Jahvid Best vs. Patrick Willis & Comp: Advantage: 49ers run defense. Best was kept in check besides one drive where he did some damage in the passing game. This 49ers defense is the best defense I have seen so far this season. I do not want to play them again and I believe Stafford would say the same.
5. Lions DL vs. 49ers OL: Advantage: 49ers. Look the Lions did get pressure on Alex Smith and made him ineffective most of the game. The 49ers OL had numerous penalties as well. Still they ran for over 200 yards and protected Alex Smith when it mattered most…4^th and goal to win the game

Questions That Need Answers

1. Will Matthew Stafford bounce back? I did not like his body language in the second half…he had happy feet, scared eyes, and a defeated expression. I have great faith in this kid, but I did not like what I saw from him in this game.
2. Will the trap play be this defense’s Achilles heel all season long? It negates the pressure the DL gets and if the back seven can not consistently wrap up and force the play inside than this will be a play they will see often.
3. Special Teams have looked both dominate and horrible this season. In order for the Lions to get to the next level they need consistency from this unit. A missed FG by Hanson at a critical point and some poor coverage probably was their undoing on Sunday.

What’s Next?

Hosting the Falcons is a bit easier for the Lions. Last week was a trap game and it played out like I feared it would. Falcons are struggling right now and I think they are going to play an angery Lions team. Heck even the coach is ready to throw down. It should be interesting how this plays out.

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Lions Week 6 Recap: 49ers are this year’s Chicago Bears

By Editorial Staff | Oct 17, 2011