Week 16: San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions

(Image created by Samuel Lam)

The last two games for the 49ers will be used as stepping stones for quarterback Alex Smith. Against two of the league's worst teams, Smith has to use these two games to prove that the he can be the quarterback of the future for the team.

The running game also needs to be in full gear against the Lions. With running back Frank Gore trying to finish strong, the 49ers have to take advantage of the Lions terrible defense. Michael Robinson and Moran Norris will also get a good portion of the runs on Sunday, a move that Singletary wants to use to give other players an opportunity to make an impact.

On defense, the 49ers have to contain wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Knowing that he is the Lions' only offensive threat (with the rest of big name starters being hurt), the 49ers should be able to breeze by this game.

It's "Fan Appreciation Day" at Candlestick Park today, so come on out and enjoy the atmosphere. It's disappointing that the 49ers won't be going to the playoffs, but I still stand optimistic on the team's future.

There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Lions:

Pass the ball
The Lions rank last in defense which means Alex Smith has to take advantage of it. With his career in San Francisco under the microscope, the worst defense should help bulk up his statistics for the season. Also, tight end Vernon Davis should needs two more touchdowns to tie the record for touchdowns by a tight end in a season.
Punt returns
Assuming that the Lions offense stalls, the 49ers will have a lot of opportunities to return punts. Let's hope that they get something positive going there.
Converting third downs
There is no excuse for this team to not get these first downs. This probably has been the team's Achilles heel all year long. If they cannot convert third downs, then we have to figure out what is going on with the execution and playcalling.

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Today's injury report:

49ERS
OUT
CB Nate Clements (shoulder), K Joe Nedney (left hamstring)

DOUBTFUL
WR Isaac Bruce (ankle), RB Glen Coffee (hamstring)

PROBABLE
CB Marcus Hudson (back), RB Moran Norris (toe), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder), CB Shawntae Spencer (ankle), LB Takeo Spikes (hamstring), T Joe Staley (knee, elbow)

LIONS
OUT
CB Phillip Buchanon (shoulder), QB Matthew Stafford (left shoulder)

QUESTIONABLE
LB Vinny Ciurciu (ankle), DT Joe Cohen (knee), S Louis Delmas (ankle), LB Larry Foote (foot), WR Dennis Northcutt (groin)

PROBABLE
DT Grady Jackson (knee), WR Calvin Johnson (knee), LS Don Muhlbach (concussion), C Dominic Raiola (knee), DE Dewayne White (toe)

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It's the last home game of the year and I expect the 49ers to take care of the Lions with ease. I just hope you all enjoy the game.

Follow me on my Twitter for updates throughout today's game and check back here as I plan to update this page live from the stadium.

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1st Quarter

- DET starts on own 16...Reverse to CJohnson to 35 yard line for a first down...On first down, a 9 yard run by Morris followed by a 3 yard sack by Spikes...On 3rd & 4, 5 yard pass to Johnson for a first down...Morris runs for 5 yards followed by a 2 yard loss by Morris...On 3rd & 7, scramble by Stanton to the 40 for a first down...Morris for a 3 yard run followed by a catch by CJohnson to the 21 for a first down...On first down, Morris for no gain followed by a run by CJohnson to the 9 for a first down...On 1st & G on the 9, Brown runs for 1 yard followed by an incomplete pass...On 3rd & G on the 8, incomplete to BJohnson... DET attempt 27 yard FG. 3-0 DET leads.

- SF starts on own 12...Smith sacked for 4 yards followed by a 1 yard run by Gore...On 3rd & 13, a 5 yard loss by Gore...SF to punt.

- DET starts on own 48...2 yard run by Morris followed by a 5 yard run...On 3rd & 3, incomplete... DET to punt...

- SF on own 22...14 yard run by Gore....Pass to Crabtree to the DET 14...On first down on 14, Gore for -1 yards followed by an incomplete...On 3rd & 11, incomplete. Schmitt makes 33 yard kick. Tied at 3.

-DET starts on own 31...Catch by CJohnson at the 41...Morris with a 6 yard run...

2nd Quarter

-On 1st down at 46, -4 yard run by Morris followed by a 14 yard pass to Morris for a first down...Sack fumble forced by Brooks. SF recovers

- SF on own 47, Gore runs for 6 yards followed by a 10 yard pass to Davis...On first down, incomplete followed by a 3 yard pass to Walker...On 3rd & 7, 6 yard pass to Gore...After timeout on 4th & 1, Gore is short.

- DET starts on own 24...Morris for a 2 yard run followed by a 1 yard run...On 3rd & 7, catch by CJohnson and a fumble. SF recovers.

- SF on own 48, incomplete followed by a 12 yard pass to Walker for a first down...On first down, 2 yard run by Gore followed by a holding...Now 2nd & 18, a 7 yard pass to Gore followed by an incomplete to Morgan... SF to punt...

- DET on own 4...1 yard run by Morris followed by a 6 yard run...On 3rd & 3, Roman sacks Stanton...DET to punt.

- SF on own 46...2 yard pass to Norris followed by a 7 yard pass to Morgan...On 3rd & 1, pass to Walker to the 24 for a first down...Incomplete followed by a 1 yard pass to Morgan...On 3rd & 9, 1 yard pass to Crabtree. SF attempts 39 yard FG. 6-3 SF leads.

- DET on own 23...Morris with a 1 yard run (2 minute warning) followed by a 14 yard catch by B Johnson...On first down, incomplete followed by an interception by Willis.

- SF on DET 40...Incomplete followed by another incomplete... On 3rd & 10, 11 yard pass to Crabtree...On first down, 4 yard pass to Robinson followed by a 2 yard gain to Davis...On 3rd & 4 after timeout, 7 yard pass to Morgan..On 1st & 10 on 16, incomplete followed by a 6 yard pass to Morgan...On 3rd & 4, incomplete...28 yard FG is blocked. Halftime...

3rd Quarter

- SF on own 32...Gore for no gain followed by another no gain...On 3rd & 10, 7 yard pass to Crabtree.. SF to punt.

- DET on 18 yard line...Morris for 1 yard followed by a 4 yard pass to Morris...On 3rd & 5, pass interference on offense...On 3rd & 15, sack by Haralson.

- SF on DET 49...20 yard pass to Gore...7 yard run by Gore followed by a run all the way to the 8 yard line...1st & G on 8, 5 yard run by Gore followed by a 1 yard run...On 3rd & G on the 2, pass to Davis for a TD. 13-3 SF leads.

- DET on 20...Morris carries for 3 yards followed by a 6 yard run by Stanton...On 3rd & 1, Morris is tackled for a 4 yard loss. DET to punt...

- SF on own 37...3 yard run by Gore followed by a 5 yard run...On 3rd & 2, Gore runs for 2 yards and is inches short...4th & inches, Gore catches ball all the way to the 5...On 1st & G on 5, Gore with no gain followed by a 5 yard run... On 3rd & inches, Gore up the middle for the touchdown! 20-3 SF leads.

- DET on their own 27...3 yard run by Morris followd by a pass to Johnson to SF 40 for a first down...1 yard run by Felton....

4th Quarter

- 2nd & 9 on SF 39...pass to Heller for 1 yard followed by an incomplete...On 4th & 8, pass interference gives DET a first down on the 29...Intercepted by Goldson all the way to the SF 42.

- On first down, Morgan on the end around goes all the way to the DET 42...On first down, Gore loses 1 yard on the run followed by a 2 yard run by Gore...On 3rd & 9, -1 yard run by Gore...SF to punt.

- DET on their own their own 2...2 yard pass to Felton followd by a 3 yard run by Morris...On 3rd & 5, holding on Bly gives DET a first down...16 yard catch by Heller...On first down, incomplete followed by another incomplete... On 3rd & 10, 6 yard scramble by Stanton...

- SF on their own 27...Gore fumbles and DET recovers,

- DET on SF 29...Bly intercepts Stanton.

- SF on own 45...2 yard run by Gore followed by no gain...On 3rd & 8, incomplete pass. SF to punt...

- DET on 20 after touchback...I'm going to get ready to head down to the field. Signing off. Recap coming soon.