Credit: Andrew Weber- US PRESSWIRE

With the Lions and 49ers squaring off on Sunday Night Football in week 2, the most talked about issue is not the play of both teams last week, but something that happened last year: Handshake Gate.  The two Jim’s, Harbaugh and Schwartz, would like for the media and the fans to stop asking and thinking about an incident that took place in week 5 of the 2011 season, but the more drama, the better.

In case you forgot, after the 49ers 25-19 comeback win last October in Detroit, Harbaugh gave Schwartz a firm handshake and a slap on the back.  Harbaugh was pumped up after such a big win, but Schwartz was not having any of it and was infuriated.  The two had to be separated as they jawed at one another heading into the locker room.

Harbaugh and Schwartz want to have the focus on the players and what each team needs to accomplish to pull out the victory.  They are right.  There are plenty of other things to focus on, like the 49ers beating the Packers and the Lions hard fought win over the Rams, but where is the fun in that?  Rarely is the focus of a game between two head coaches, like the upcoming content between the 49ers and Lions.  Harbaugh and Schwartz are similar is several ways.  Both wear their hearts on their sleeves for their players and team.  Both are young head coaches of two of the NFL’s best up-and-coming teams.  And both have returned their franchises back to respectability and the playoffs after years of being dormant.

They will not admit it this week, but Harbaugh and Schwartz have to be thinking about the handshake, with both wanting to win badly to stick it to the other coach.  The coaches don’t hate each other and have had interactions since then which ended cordially.  But they cannot shake (pun intended) their competitive streak. This will be the most watched post-game handshake of all-time.

Jim Harbaugh’s comments from Monday on Handshake Gate:

Our approach with the mini controversies are really to give them the attention that they deserve, which isn’t much.  People who will choose to use that to promote this game, or any other game, I think are really missing the point. The game is just so much bigger. As a rule of thumb, I have too much respect for the men who play this game, on both sides, and too much respect for the game to give it anything (more) than it deserves.

Jim Schwartz comments from Monday on Handshake Gate:

That’s long in the past. That just seems so long ago that that occurred. When two teams take the field, that’s not going to be on one player’s mind.

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)