After a tough start to the season, the Detroit Lions head to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. Both teams took losses in Week 1 and look to right the ship. An 0-2 start looms for one of these teams, a hole that historically isn’t easy to climb out and make the playoffs.
The 49ers are already beat up on offense, missing multiple difference makers along the line, in the backfield and in the receiver corps. San Francisco’s expected playmakers for 2018 are both out – receiver Marquise Goodwin and running back Jerrick McKinnon.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo started off slow on Sunday, but Kyle Shanahan’s offense has a way of humming on its own. Detroit will need to find a way to slow Garoppolo’s tempo and stall a potentially high-powered offense.
Looking ahead to this week, the Lions are hoping to get back on the right path and compete in a tough NFC North. The 49ers kickoff the toughest stretch on Detroit’s schedule, so digging out of an 0-2 hole won’t be easy.
Let’s take a look at three key matchups for the Lions to take this must-win game.
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