Team Grades: Detroit Lions Look Impressive In Second-Half Shutout Of San Francisco 49ers
By Danny Cox
The Detroit Lions may be facing teams with losing records, but they're looking like the playoff contenders everyone expected them to be. Unfortunately, they've been eliminated and will have to wait until next year for a try at the playoffs. On Sunday, they shut out the San Francisco 49ers in the second half en route to a 32-17 victory, and looked very good throughout the whole game.
Offense: B
As usual, there was an extreme lack of a running game as the Lions managed just 87 total yards on the ground. Luckily, the passing game was strong yet again and Matthew Stafford looked very good as he completed 29-of-37 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.
Calvin Johnson hauled in six receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown in what some believe may be his final home game as a Detroit Lion, but that remains to be seen. Theo Riddick had a nice day as well as he grabbed seven receptions for 63 yards.
Defense: A-
Detroit was able to hold the 49ers to 322 total yards while forcing one interception and also sacking Blaine Gabbert three times. It was an impressive looking performance from the Lions defense, which was able to keep San Fran off of the board for the entire second half as well.
The most impressive stat line of the day has to be how the Lions handled the star receivers of the 49ers: Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. Smith had just two receptions for 23 yards and one touchdown. Bolding caught five balls, but had just 27 total yards on the day.
Special Teams: A
Matt Prater continues to be spot on as he hit all four of his field goal attempts and both extra point attempts as well for 14 points on the day. Sam Martin punted just three times, but pinned the 49ers inside their own 20-yard line on two of those kicks.
Ameer Abdullah looked good on kick returns yet again as he had two for 69 yards with a long of 46.
Coaching: A-
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is essentially coaching to save his job right now, and he may have done it. Going from a team that was headed toward a winless season to one that may end up with seven victories is a huge turn-around. The Lions looked poised on offense against the 49ers and fierce on defense. If only they had done this all year long.
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.
