Lions vs. 49ers: 5 key X-factors for San Francisco in Week 2
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Win the Ground Game
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise the 49ers were unable to establish a running game in Minnesota and what was their top-ranked defense from a year ago.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners mustered a mere 90 yards on the ground in Week 1, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, and that stat was largely skewed by running back Alfred Morris‘ long run of 14 yards. Morris also fumbled on the Vikings’ 1-yard line in the second quarter, negating an excellent San Francisco scoring chance and putting all momentum back in Minnesota’s hands.
Fortunately for the 49ers, Detroit’s run defense is nowhere near the same level as that of the Vikings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Lions run defense entered 2018 ranked at No. 26.
That ranking appeared to carry over into first-year head coach Matt Patricia’s defensive efforts in Week 1, allowing the Jets’ Isaiah Crowell to rush for an astounding 102 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Simply put, Detroit’s run defense looks about as porous as it gets.
Morris and fellow tailback Matt Breida will be tasked with getting Kyle Shanahan’s ground attack back on track in Week 2, and this contest couldn’t provide a better opportunity to do so.
But it will have to start up front, which leads to the next key X-factor.