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Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview: Welcome back to Michigan Harbaugh.

By Editorial Staff

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Detroit Lions (5-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

Doubt the schedule makers thought this game would be this exciting when they drew it up.  As a Lions fan, I have a special place for Jim Harbaugh and what he is doing in the Bay Area.  Jim Harbaugh is loved inMichigan anyways, but I like the aggressive defensive attitude he has instilledwith the 49ers.  Reminds me very much of what Jim Schwartz has done inDetroit.  I love some of the 49ers players as well; such as Justin Smith, Aldon Smith (who I wanted the Lions to draft), Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, andMike Iupati.  I believe this game will go down to the wire.  I would not want to be either QB in this contest.

 What’s at stake?

This early in the season it is hard to say there is too much.  For the 49ers it would be the chance to go 5-1 and clinch the division…not really but it’s unlikely anyone in the division could catch them.  For the Lions they would go 6-0 and keep up with Green Bay for the N.F.C. North crown.  The Packers are playing the Rams so I would assume they would be 6-0 as well.

Matchups to watch for.

  1. Jeff Backus vs. Aldon Smith: Jeff Backus is a solid LT who has endured far too much criticism from Detroit fans.  He performed his task very well versus Julius Peppers last week and besides Week 3 versus Jared Allen he has performed well this season.  Now, Aldon Smith is an athletic freak that is capable of blowing by Backus….the advantage Backus has is experience.  I believe Backus will perform well and if the Lions can keep the 49ers honest by running the ball 15-20 times…I think he will be okay.  Advantage: Backus 
  2. Frank Gore vs. the Lions’ back seven: Frank Gore is capable of some big games.  Recently the 49ers OL have come together.  Just ask the Buccaneers who got clobbered by this unit.  I think the Lions can do to Gore what they have done to Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte…allow him his yards but not allow him to take over the game.  In that sense, I think the Lions can bend but not break.  Advantage: Lions back seven
  3. Calvin Johnson vs. Carlos Rogers: Calvin Johnson has been a force since he started out in Detroit.  He has only gotten better.  Last week he proved he could defeat strong, physical, big CB’s.  Carlos Rogers is having one of his best years but Calvin has faced Rogers before when he was with the Redskins.  I fully believe CJ will get 1-2 big plays this game and be an unstoppable force.  Advantage: Calvin Johnson
  4. Jahvid Best vs. Patrick Willis and comp:  The 49ers Run Defense is one of the best in the NFL.  It is led by a dominating DL fronteded by Justin Smith and an athletic LB core led by Patrick Willis.  Now the Lions showed last week that their run game can be effective at times and that Jahvid Best, in open space, is dangerous.  I just don’t think the Lions can duplicate that success this week.  Advantage: 49ers Run Defense 

Ndumakong Suh and Nick Fairley vs. 49ers Interior OL: Suh, Corey Williams, Sammie Lee Hill, and Nick Fairley are just too much to for an OL to stop all game long.  The problem is ,the Lions DL gets stronger over the game due to their substitutions.  The 49ers have done better along the interior of their offensive line since benching Chilo Rachel for Adam Snyder.  Mike Iupati is one of the best young OG in the game and Joe Staley is a sound LT.  I just don’t think it will be enough…also RT Anthony Davis is going to be abused by Cliff Avril.  Advantage: Lions DL.   

 

Prediction.

I think this will be a close game that the Lions will win.  Three reasons I believe this is:

  1. 1.      Lions are at home and the 49ers have to travel.  West Coast teams usually come out flat in these games….not to mention the Lions are almost unbeatable at home.
  2. 2.      Too much firepower for the 49ers to handle.  Cowboys showed that while the 49ers defense is strong it can be susceptible to elite passing teams.  Lions can throw at you with WR’s in CJ, Nate Burleson, and Titus Young. And supplement that with TE’s  Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheftler.  Also, Jahvid Best who is one of the best pass catching RB’s in the NFL. 
  3. 3.      Lastly, the Lions DL is too much to handle.  I think Gore will do well but drives can not last long when the Lions are harassing the QB every throw and forcing both sacks and turnovers.

I predict a 27-17 score and the Lions going 6-0 for the first in ages.

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