49ers at Lions
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit
TV: Fox
Tipico line: 49ers by 7 1⁄2 49ers’ keys to victory: It’s important for QB Jimmy Garoppolo to get going quickly and keep the retooled Lions defense from settling in. WR Brandon Aiyuk and TE George Kittle are both mismatch weapons against a very young secondary. A couple of early scores could allow coach Kyle Shanahan to play with a lead and get creative with Raheem Mostert and speedy rookie Elijah Mitchell out of the backfield.
Lions’ keys to victory: The Detroit offense showed little big-play potential in the exhibition season. If QB Jared Goff can connect with his top weapons, TE T.J. Hockenson and WR Tyrell Williams, it would help make the ground game easier for RB D’Andre Swift. Detroit’s strength on both sides of the ball is along the lines, and physically punishing the 49ers in an early kickoff for the West Coast visitors is a sound game plan.
Matchup to watch: Lions RT Penei Sewell vs. 49ers DEs Joey Bosa and Arik Armstead. Sewell, a rookie, struggled some in the preseason with the increased speed and power of the NFL game. Bosa and Armstead bring both of those qualities in abundance. It’s a stiff test for a prominent player the Lions are depending upon to be ready right away.
Who wins? The 49ers are rightly favored in the game, but it’s hard to discount the buzz and energy new Lions coach Dan Campbell and his staff bring to the team in their debut. Detroit probably needs a defensive score and the unknowns on special teams to go its way to get the win, but don’t automatically count this game as a victory for the visitors.
49ers, 20-17