Detriot Lions Should Not Underestimate San Francisco 49ers
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions went from the worst team in the league to being in the middle of the pack in the NFC. Now, they still have two more games left in this season and can really finish things out on a strong note. The San Francisco 49ers are coming to town and it's a new group that has a lot of youth and a promising future and should not be underestimated.
Season Record
No one expected the San Francisco 49ers to have as bad a season as they are currently in, and they've already started looking ahead at what's to come. At 4-10, the 49ers are out of the playoffs and in last place in the NFC West which is where they are likely to end up once all is said and done in 2015.
San Francisco 49ers on Offense
Blaine Gabbert took over as quarterback for Colin Kaepernick, and it seems as if that may be how things are in the future from this point on. He's done well with seven touchdowns and just six interceptions, but the 49ers cannot keep him off the ground. This season, the 49ers have given up 49 sacks on Gabbert and Kaepernick.
Running the ball, there isn't much going on for the Niners as injuries have decimated their rushing game. The 49ers have gone through almost 10 different running backs this season. Detroit needs to focus on the passing game and stopping Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.
San Francisco 49ers on Defense
The 49ers only rack up just about half of the amount of sacks they give up. On the season, they have just 26 total sacks with Aaron Lynch leading the team with 6.5 total. The pass rush is decent, but not overly strong at all.
San Francisco doesn't have an overly good secondary either, but players like Kenneth Acker and Tramaine Brock are really great on pass defense. Stafford is going to have to use the size of Calvin Johnson and speed of Golden Tate to get around them.
San Francisco 49ers Players to Watch
Gabbert is the focus of the 49ers offense and he's what brings it all together. He's been impressive this year at times and really has done a good job at giving the team new life. He's a totally different quarterback than Kaepernick and calls for a lot of different looks from any defense.
Speaking of defense, the Lions need to keep their eyes on linebacker NaVorro Bowman who has become the leader for that squad. Bowman is the leading tackler for the 49ers with 136 total while the next closest is Michael Wilhoite with 85. Bowman is all over the field and always knows where to be to disrupt a play.
Outlook
Detroit can really take this game and actually win it quite handily if they play like they did against the New Orleans Saints, in the first half, for the whole game. That kind of explosive offense will blow the San Francisco 49ers out of the water, but they can't let off the gas when they get ahead.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
