49ers must be sure to stop these 3 Lions stars on Sunday

The 49ers visit the Lions in Week 1 to open up the 2021 season, and it’ll be in the Niners’ best interest to ensure these three opponents don’t do damage.

A year ago, the San Francisco 49ers unfortunately let Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins go wild in a Week 1 regular-season opener that ultimately led to the Niners starting off their 2020 campaign with a 0-1 record.

This year, San Francisco will want to avoid the same kind of pitfall when it takes to the road for a Week 1 bout against the Detroit Lions.

Granted, the Lions are in a completely different state than where the Cardinals were a year ago. At the beginning of what’ll likely be a lengthy rebuild under first-year head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit’s offense isn’t exactly expected to be a top-notch unit. Combined with the 49ers showing off an awfully deep defensive line during the preseason, one might expect the Niners to command the Lions on that side of the ball.

All the while being methodical and effective on offense, too, against a Detroit defense that has plenty of holes at all three levels.

That said, and as San Francisco learned from last year’s Week 1 game, one or two opposing players can easily take over a game. And with the pressure on the 49ers to start off the season hot, it would be in their best interest to ensure what little star power the Lions have entering 2021 doesn’t wind up having one of those breakout-type performances.

Here are three Lions standouts the Niners better hope to contain on Sunday.