Detroit Loins (0-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

Bill Walsh Field at Candlestick Park

1:15 PM (PST)

Week 3 finds the 49ers at 1-1 against the worst team in the NFL the Detroit Lions. Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz was fired by wonder boy Matt Millen last season and will lit up the Lions D. Martz did not talk to the media all week and I wonder why? Look for some big plays from J.T. O’Sullivan and his receivers as he will go against Jon Kitna, the man he backed up last year in Detroit. Facing a team at home who has lost their first two games will be a hard task. Much cannot be said about the Lions D so the 49ers look to exploit the secondary with spread formations. Vernon Davis will benefit the most from this and should have his breakout game of the year. Kitna has an array of receivers to choose from, but with the Lions going more focused with the run this year, receivers Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson are inching for more touches. Nate Clements and the secondary need to limit the damage Williams and Johnson cause.

The Lions will pull out all the stops to avoid a 0-3 start. They will stick to the run in the beginning of the game but with the 49ers driving and getting points with Martz’ game plan of heavy passing, they will be forced to throw in the second half. It will be a close for most the game but the 49ers should have no problem beating the Lions at home. O’Sullivan will repeat last week’s performance and should have two passing touchdowns against the Lions weak defense. Jonas Jennings will be out with a shoulder injury which is a big loss. Still the offensive line needs to hold the pass rush to only a few sacks this week if the 49ers are going to be successful.

Fantasy Studs of the Game: J.T. O’Sullivan; Roy Williams

O’Sullivan will have 260 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. As long as they o-line holds up and limits sack, O’Sullivan should have a great game.

Williams needs a breakout game. Not only for himself but for all of the people that drafted him in the top three rounds on their fantasy team…I maybe one of them. Williams will get lots of looks and should have eight receptions with two touchdowns and over a hundred yards receiving as the Lions desperately don’t want to be 0-3. This should be your week fantasy owners!

Predication:

Lions 27

49ers 36

Martz has three chances this year to embarrass former employers who fired him. He will pull out of his sleeves some big plays allowing the 49ers to establish the pass which means a big game for Frank Gore as the Lions D drops more men back in coverage. The Lions will stay in the game well into the third quarter however as with each game this year for the Lions they will collectively find a way to lose the game on both sides of the ball. Patrick Willis and the 49ers D will exploit Kitna making turnovers at critical parts of the game.

Injury Report:

49ers

Out: LT Jonas Jennings (shoulder); CB Shawntae Spencer (knee);

Questionable: CB Donald Strickland (knee)

Loins:

Questionable: LB Jordon Dizon (neck); DT Cory Redding (ankle); DE Corey Smith (hammy)

Probable: FS Gerald Alexander (concussion)