Hello everyone, as we all know week 1 of the regular season just finished, and we are heading into week 2. For this blog I am going to be talking about the 49ers season opener against the Lions and the hopes for next week. So last week the 49ers beat the lions 41-33. This may seem like a very close score line, but that does not truly reflect the game that took place. The 49ers were leading 38-17 heading into the 4th quarter of the game. In the beginning of the 4th quarter the 49ers hit a field goal making the score 41-17 with about 9 minutes left in the game. Then the next score came with 1:53 left in the game. This score was from a 1 yard rush, and then a successful 2 point conversion. This led the score to be 41-25. Then the Lions did an onside kick, and they recovered it. This led to another Lions touchdown leaving 1:10 left in the 4th quarter. Upon the completion of the 2 point conversion the score became 41-33. The Lions attempted another onside kick which was taken up by Fred Warner, and you would think the game was over, but was it? The Lions still had all 3 of their timeouts, and were willing to use them to get the ball back. So the 49ers ran the ball in an attempt to waste the timeouts, get a first down, and then run out the clock, without giving a chance to the lions offense to score. The 49ers ran the ball 2 times both for 1 yard, leaving a 3rd and 8. The 49ers decided to throw to get the first down, so Jimmy Garroppolo drops back and throws a pass to Deebo Samuel, WHO FUMBLES!!! It was recovered by the Lions at their own 30 with 58 seconds left in the 4th quarter. The 49ers defense holds strong and the Lions are faced with a 4th and 9 at the 49ers 24 yard line. At this point it is too late for a field goal, as it would not put up enough points, so the Lions were forced to go for it. Jared Goff drops back to pass, and the ball lands incomplete. This resulted in a turnover on downs, and then the 49ers kneeled the ball to win the game.
This was a very important game for the 49ers, because many things were learned. First things first the 49ers defense is very good, but towards the end of the game it is important for them to keep their foot on the gas. Our offense took a very new approach, for example the first touchdown for the 49ers came from a throw from Trey Lance, but the rest of the passing plays for that drive were taken by Jimmy Garroppolo. This is very exciting, too see how both promising quarterbacks will be used in this talented offense
Some things that need to be improved are the ball handling skills. The very first offensive play for the 49ers was a fumble by Jimmy Garroppolo. The last offensive play other than the kneel also was a fumble. We also need to improve upon our passing options. In this game Deebo Samuel was targeted 12 times. The next most targets for a receiver was 3 for Trent Sherfield.
Looking at next week against the Eagles, I would like to see the ball get passed around more, and our defense playing as perfect as it was playing for the whole game. The eagles are a very good team, who are coming off of an absolute destruction of the Falcons. That game resulted in a Eagles victory 32-6. Unlike the Lions, the Eagles have a very mobile quarterback in Jalen Hurts. This will be a little tough for our defense, but with all the talent that is on our team I think that we can limit his options tremendously. My prediction for the result of this game is a 49ers victory with the score of 37-32. The falcons could not get much going with the run game against the eagles, but their passing game was a lot better. I think that the 49ers will not have a very run centered game plan, because the starting running back (Raheem Mostert) got injured. I believe that a combination of Jimmy Garroppolo and Trey Lance, which we saw during the first drive will be a prominent part of the game plan for the game against the Eagles.
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