Week #10: San Francisco 49ers

[racosun]

The Lions are playing a must-win game? Seems crazy, but it's true. After the big upset of the Falcons last Sunday, the Lions are only two games out of a wild-card spot in the NFC. If they want to have a legit shot at the playoffs (something unheard of under the Millen regime), they must win this game. The Niners are coming off of a win over the Vikings, giving them a 3-5 record. Now they are back on the road, where they are 0-3 this season. San Francisco brings the NFC's worst defense with them to Ford Field to match up against a decent Detroit offense. Look for this game to be a shoot-out, with the possibility of a few big plays from both teams. Niners' RB Frank Gore has been a break-out this season, and the play of second-year QB Alex Smith (#1 overall pick in 2005) has been up-and-down, but much improved over his rookie campaign. I hope I'm not jinxing them, but the Lions really should win this game.

[racosun]

OUT
Lions - DT Shaun Rogers (suspension)
49ers - none

DOUBTFUL
Lions - none
49ers - TE Vernon Davis (fibula)

QUESTIONABLE
Lions - TE Sean McHugh (knee); G Blaine Saipaia (chest); DT Shaun Cody (toe)
49ers - none

PROBABLE
Lions - T Rex Tucker (knee)
49ers - S Chad Williams (quad); CB Walt Harris (hip)

[racosun]

The "Big Three" of Kitna, Williams, and Jones, the trio that has been the only bright spot all season for the Lowly Lions, were the culprits of today's ugly loss at home to one of the worst teams in the league. For Lions fans, this loss was in line with what the Millen regime has done all along. They showed up big time for the Falcons win, then let the Niners come in and steal any hope they may have had at a post-season berth. Obviously, even if the home team won this game, they still would have had a long uphill battle to get in, but this seals their fate for yet another season. This game could have been really lopsided had RB Frank Gore not suffered a possible concussion. He had nearly 160 yards rushing and a long 61-yard TD, and could have easily topped the 200-yard mark. Once again, the secondary was a no-show. If not for a dropped sure-fire TD by one of the Niners receivers, their day could have looked alot worse.

Ugly game, ugly loss, another ugly season down the drain. Maybe this team can go on the road and "bounce back" from another victory that slipped right out of thier paws. The Lions head to Arizona (4 pm local time) to have a showdown for the possible #1 overall draft pick.

[racosun]

San Francisco 49ers 19, Detroit Lions 13
Passing:
Lions - Jon Kitna, 19-for-30, 202 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick, 1 fumble lost
49ers - Alex Smith, 14-for-20, 136 yards, 0 TD's, no picks

Rushing:
Lions - Kevin Jones, 13 rushes, 44 yards, 0 TD's, 1 fumble lost
49ers - Frank Gore, 22 rushes, 159 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:
Lions - Roy Williams, 5 catches, 81 yards, 0 TD's, 1 fumble lost
49ers - Arnaz Battle, 6 catches, 55 yards, 0 TD's

Kicking:
Lions - Jason Hanson, 2-for-2 FG's, 1-for-1 XP's
49ers - Joe Nedney, 4-for-4 FG's, 1-for-1 XP's