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Surprise Game of the Week

October 14, 2011

Reading previews for this Sunday's San Francisco 49ers-Detroit Lions game, you will be hard pressed to find an article that doesn't have some variation of this line in the opening sentences, "Prior to week 1, who would have thought that this game would be a scintillating matchup between two potential playoff teams that have combined for only one loss in the first five weeks?"

I did.  Sort of.

Looking back at my 10 NFL predictions prior to the season here, two of my predictions were related to the Lions and the 49ers.

Prediction 2:  Lions make the playoffs
Prediction 10: 49ers will finish at least 7-9

So based on my forward thinking, I believed this game had some importance prior to the season starting.  Maybe ESPN will hire me so I can become the 124th writer/blogger for the NFL?

Ok, I didn't think the Lions would be 5-0 and the 49ers would be 4-1 and this would be the game of the week (sorry Dallas/New England).  If you don't have Directv this week, I'm sorry you have to watch the Redskins/Eagles slopfest.  This game will be entertaining and for a 49ers fan like myself, won't be the end of the world if we lose as we are playing with house money.  Couple of keys going into the game:

49ers: Will they be able to run and pass block well enough against a formidable front line? The offensive line struggled to begin the season but has turned it around the past couple of weeks.  A big test against Suh and company.

Lions:  49ers will be the toughest defense they have played yet, especially the front 7.  They get off blocks, tackle, hit with authority and can rush the passer.  If the Lions can't run the ball, which nobody has consistently done against the Niners this season, Matthew Stafford might have to throw 45-50 times again this week.  That plays in the hands of the Niners defense as they have forced the most turnovers in the NFC and have the #1 red zone defense.

Predictions:  Anthony Davis with at least 2 false start penalties.
Alex Smith throws two interceptions.
Ted Ginn scores a touchdown on a return
Calvin Johnson has one big play for a touchdown but otherwise kept in check
Lions win in OT 20-17.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

i am appreciative of your niners today, russ.

October 16, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Russ said...

Close, physical game between two playoff teams that has already been overshadowed by mainstream media because of the shenanigans after the game. Look forward to the possible rematch in the playoffs in SF.

October 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM
Unknown said...

The shenanigans were pretty awesome.

October 16, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Russ said...

Yeah and I actually half expected some sort of altercation after the game after how much of a tool Schwartz was during the game and how excited Harbaugh would be after the comeback victory.

Schwartz said in one of those quick interviews right before the game that the Niners deferred to the 2nd half because they were scared of putting the offense on the field first with the raucous crowd. I've never heard a head coach say that before a game. Then Schwartz was gesturing and yelling across the field at Harbaugh when he tried to challenge the first Lions touchdown which you can't do now. With the way the Niners stole this game, when I saw the over zealous handshake live I knew that wasn't going to over well, and it didn't. Both were in the wrong and ultimately it's just two coaches that wear their emotions on their sleeves let their actions get the best of them in the heat of the moment.

October 17, 2011 at 1:06 AM

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