Tune in at 8:20 PM ET as the Lions take on the 49ers. Rob Sturney will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
I'm Rob Sturney here with the Score's continuing coverage of the NFL. Today's game is an enticing NFC battle between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers. Both won their opening games.
The Lions needed Stafford to go 7 for 9 in the final possession to beat St. Louis at home. Stafford was picked three times.
The 49ers beat Green Bay in Wisconsin 30-22. Gore had 16 carries for 112 yards and Alex Smith went 20/26 for 221 yards. Moss had his 154th TD, he's now second in receiving touchdowns in NFL history.
Yes, I think this is going to be engrossing: a running team versus a passing game. Frisco has a great defense, while the Lions have a tough front four in their 4-3. The back seven is a little suspect, especially the DB's.
The Lions got worse DB news when cornerback Houston was declared inactive. Bentley is out with a concussion and free safety Delmas has a bum knee.
San Francisco has several offensive players inactive: Ginn (ankle), Jacobs (knee), running back James and wide receiver Jenkins. Bowman has a bad shoulder but he's active.
Here are some NFC North and NFC West scores:
Arizona 20
NE 18
Min 20
Ind 23
Wsh 28
StL 31
Dal 7
Sea 27
Chi 10
GB 23
Watch for Detroit to set up with the short pass game with 3-step drops today. Megatron, who is nursing a sore foot, will be the scoring target. Last time the two teams met he had 7 receptions for 113 yards.
The Lions don't have much success versus Frisco. They have an 11 game losing streak in San Francisco which started in 1977. The Lions have lost 14 out of their last games with the 49ers. The last win was September 25, 1995.
We all remember The Handshake between Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz. It looks like things were amiable when the two coaches met before today's game. Harbaugh will have to mellow out on the replacement officials, sayeth the NFL.
A key matchup will be Rogers on Johnson. Suh will be a handful for Boone and Goodwin on the line.
We have Stafford versus Alex Smith. Stafford was the 5th ranked QB last year and Smith the 9th ranked. Stafford threw for 355 yards versus St. Louis, while Smith threw 152 of his 211 yards against the Packers to his receivers.
Hunter and Gore will be getting the carries today with Jacobs and James out. Miller the fullback might get a few more plays as well.
Frisco will have to be sharper on third down and in the red zone tonight. The Lions are going to have to force San Francisco into making mistakes.
Any predictions out there?
Candlestick Park is absolutely shimmering and rocking with noise. Their 49ers went 13-3 last year, but the fans want more. I doubt that Frisco will be the only team over .500 in the NFC West this season, for one thing.
Smith will have more weapons this year: Moss, Manningham and Jenkins, who is inactive tonight. Crabtree and Vernon Davis both had touchdowns last week. Crabtree will be used on short and intermediate route.
The 49ers can sure run and has the best run defense in the NFL, but you can throw on them (avoid Rogers and Goldson if you can) and their passing game was ranked 29th last year. Perhaps Moss and Manningham can address that offensive weakness.
We're ready to roll, folks.
Akers, who tied the NFL record for a 63 yard FG, will kick off. Logan will receive for the Lions.
The first run got a half yard. This time the Lions try the left side and find it sealed off. Smith with the tackle. 3rd and 6
DET 3 and 6: Detroit takes a time out.
Stafford can't hit Megatron over the middle. Incomplete pass, 4th and 6 and Graham will punt.
Williams takes it at his own 31 out of bounds. Decent angled kick by Graham.
SF 1st and 10: Smith looks for Vernon Davis on a short route but the TE can't squeeze the ball. No flag.
I'm thinking 7. Manningham gets the call and rambled on a run around the right end. 30+ yards!
SF 1st and 10 (Det 38): Crabtree is reached on the left sideline. He gets to the Lions' 21 yards line.
SF 1st and 10: Smith just gets the play off. TOUCHDOWN to Vernon Davis!
Frisco had two in the backfield, Smith called an audible and then found Davis on the left side. Good drive for San Francisco. Akers with the extra point attempt.
And it's good! 7-0 on 4 plays, 67 yards.
One more homework assignment and then I can peacefully watch the 49ers Vs. Lions!by KyleDawg21 via twitter 9/17/2012 12:14:15 AM
Okay the moment we all been waiting for #49ers vs #lions let's go #49ersby ThtNiggaRichard via twitter 9/17/2012 12:14:17 AM
