Check out this week’s bold prediction as the Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers.
We’re in the home stretch of the season. For the Detroit Lions, it’s survival mode—stay healthy and intact for the playoffs. For the San Francisco 49ers, it’s a different survival mode—stay healthy and don’t take any more hits before the season is over.
These two teams have a lot in common. Both came into the season with lofty expectations to repeat their appearance in the NFC championship game, but have been battered by numerous injuries throughout the year. The Lions have miraculously stayed afloat, although they’re really testing the limits of that in recent weeks. The Niners haven’t been as lucky, with their season derailed and the playoffs now out of the picture.
The Lions, despite already notching 13 wins, still have yet to clinch the NFC North. And while the stakes for Monday night’s game are essentially gone with an all-or-nothing game against the Vikings next week, we know Detroit isn’t going to take the 49ers lightly.
Bold prediction of the week: Trevor Nowaske notches 2+ sacks against 49ers
The Niners have lost a lot of good players this season. Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL to end his season, while Christian McCaffrey overcame bilateral achilles tendinitis just to strain his PCL and cut his year short. Now, Trent Williams is officially shut down for the year after battling through injuries all season.
That’s great news for the Lions defense, particularly Trevor Nowaske, who frequently lines up opposite of the left tackle. Nowaske came in as a product of injuries earlier this season and blew past his expectations quickly. He has quieted down as the season progressed, but he’s slated for another big game this week. Nowaske isn’t a super explosive pass rusher who’s going to wreck plays from the get go. He often finds his way into the stat sheet in more of a clean up duty, which lines up with his role on this defense as the edge-setter.
For the Niners, the injuries get even worse. San Francisco’s backup OL Spencer Buford, who filled in at left tackle last week, is out for Monday night with a calf injury. That likely leaves backup guard Austen Pleasants as the next man up at left tackle.
The Niners offense is already down Aiyuk and McCaffrey. FB Kyle Juszczyk is returning from illness, while RB Isaac Guerendo is making his way back from a hamstring injury. Neither one were on the latest injury report for the 49ers, but it’s hard to imagine either one will be 100%. To make matters worse, WR Deebo Samuel has been a shell of his former self all year. That means Brock Purdy might have to spend a lot of time sitting in the pocket going through his reads. That’s music to Trevor Nowaske’s ears.
San Francisco is a team built on elite skill position players, but right now that’s where they’re hurting the most. Their biggest threat on offense remains TE George Kittle, but with the Lions returning Ifeatu Melifonwu to the lineup, Detroit has three very capable safeties to keep an eye on Kittle.
The Niners offense will have their hands full trying to keep a clean pocket, and even fuller trying to a place to move the ball in the passing game. That’s a welcome change for a Lions defense that has faced two elite offenses in the last three weeks. It’s a perfect recipe for another Trevor Nowaske breakout game with 2+ sacks, which will be key for a Lions victory as they head into Week 18.
