Key Matchups: Lions-49ers
Sep 16, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:34 am
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
by Andrew Pasquini – Sports 1140 KHTK
The San Francisco 49ers (0-1) host the Detroit Lions (0-1) in their 2018 home opener. The 49ers played a somewhat sloppy game in Week 1 where they fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 24-16. While the 49ers might not have played their best game, they were in a position to win unlike the Lions who played poorly against the New York Jets on Monday night and lost 48-17.
The Lions haven’t had recent success against the 49ers, losing nine of their last ten and 14 of their last 16 against San Francisco. While Detroit won their last meeting against the 49ers in 2015 in Detroit, the Lions have lost 11 straight in San Francisco last winning in 1975. The starting quarterbacks that game? For the Lions it was former 49er Joe Reed and for the 49ers, it was the “Head Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier.
This week, it’ll be Matthew Stafford for the Lions and Jimmy Garoppolo for the 49ers. Here are some matchups to watch out for when the two teams meet Sunday:
DeForest Buckner vs Frank Ragnow/Graham Glasgow
The 49ers were successful getting to Kirk Cousins in Week 1, sacking him three times and hitting him six. A large part of that came from DeForest Buckner, who recorded 2.5 sacks becoming the first 49er to record at least 2.5 sacks in a game since Aldon Smith recorded 5.5 in 2012.
The Lions on the other hand, had issues keeping Matthew Stafford upright Week 1, allowing him to be hit four times and was pressured north of 30 percent of his passes against the Jets. Frank Ragnow alone allowed Stafford to be pressured six times.
If Buckner can take advantage of the left side of the Lions offensive line, it could force Stafford to start forcing passes like he did against the Jets which led to him throwing four interceptions. However, if Ragnow and Glasgow can keep Stafford up and give him time, Stafford could have a big game.
Richard Sherman/Ahkello Witherspoon/K’Waun Willaims vs Golden Tate/Marvin Jones/Kenny Golladay
This is the second week in a row the 49ers secondary will have a tough test against a strong receiving corp. Both Sherman and Witherspoon had a solid Week 1 outing having to defend Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. The two only allowed four of nine passes directed towards them to be completed and Witherspoon had a pass breakup as well. Witherspoon did get beat once by Diggs however on a 22-yard touchdown with a great throw from Cousins. The 49ers closed the game out strong, not allowing a completion on Cousins’ last eight attempts.
On Monday night against the Jets, Tate and Jones, the Lions two best receivers, had 11 receptions on 23 targets for 123 yards and a touchdown between the two. Second year receiver Kenny Golladay had what has been the best game of his young career catching seven passes for 114 yards, which is a career high.
The matchup within the matchup to watch here is Williams in the slot guarding Golladay. Sherman and Witherspoon will most likely be lined up on the outside against Tate and Jones so the slot will be important to watch.
Dante Pettis vs the Lions punt team
Pettis had a somewhat tame performance returning punts Week 1, returning two for a total of 14 yards. The Lions had issues containing Jets return man Andre Roberts who had three returns for 137 yards and a touchdown. Pettis does have explosive play potential and if the Lions can’t contain him, the 49ers should have good field position for Garoppolo and the offense.
