Lions vs. 49ers: Preview, odds, prediction, live stream for Week 2
The San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions in Week 2 with both teams looking to avoid falling what is often a crucial 0-2 hole.
Both the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions are looking to bounce back from Week 1 defeats when they meet at Levi’s Stadium, but the apparent mood in the two camps could hardly be more contrasting.
While the 49ers have all been united and vocal in talking about moving on from their 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the aftermath of Detroit’s 48-17 Monday night shellacking at the hands of the New York Jets has seen reports that Lions veterans have been unhappy with how hard Matt Patricia has worked them and the number of rules put in place since his arrival as head coach.
Facing a Niners team that ran Minnesota close until the end, a series of offensive miscues dooming them to defeat on the road, the Lions will have to work hard if Patricia is to get off the mark. Right guard T.J. Lang is out for Lions, an absence that could prove pivotal against a stacked 49ers defensive line led by DeForest Buckner, who had 2.5 sacks in the opener. Ezekiel Ansah and LeGarrette Blount are also questionable for Detroit.
San Francisco is banged up too. Injuries to guards Mike Person (questionable) and Joshua Garnett (out) could see undrafted rookie Najee Toran start at right guard. Starting wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is also unavailable for San Francisco because of a thigh injury.
Even with the injuries up front and the absence of their top receiver, it is tough to imagine the Niners being as sloppy on offense as they were in Week 1, when three interceptions from Jimmy Garppolo and numerous drops from his receivers prevented them from taking advantage of what was otherwise a commendable performance.
Indeed, the 49ers still have plenty of weapons even without Goodwin, for whom Dante Pettis will start after an impressive debut in which he had 61 yards and caught San Francisco’s only touchdown. The Niners have no reason to fear a Lions defense that is not close to being on the same level as that of the Vikings. Both teams know that dropping to 0-2 often spells doom for hopes of making the playoffs but the 49ers appear much better placed to avoid that fate and get their home campaign off to a winning start.
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TV and Live Stream info
Date: Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: FuboTV, NFL Sunday Ticket
Betting Odds
Point Spread: 49ers -6
Moneyline: Detroit +215, 49ers -260
Over/Under: 48.5
All odds courtesy of OddsShark.
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Prediction
The Lions appear a fractured team just a game into Patricia’s tenure and, on a short week after a blowout on national TV, a journey west to face a usually potent offense looking to find its groove does not sound like a recipe for success. Both teams have injuries, but bad offensive lines such as Detroit’s typically don’t travel well. Look for the 49ers defense to exploit that mismatch up front and for Garoppolo and the San Francisco offense to get going in a comfortable win.
Final Score: Lions 16, 49ers 30