49ers vs. Lions: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

Two of the most surprising teams in the NFL this season, the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, will meet to determine which upstart is more ready to become a Super Bowl threat.

The 49ers have relied on solid defensive play and the emergence of quarterback Alex Smith to take control of the NFC West with a 4-1 record. Things have not been perfect for the team thus far, but the bottom line is they are winning games. Jim Harbaugh has brought the swagger back to the bay area.

The Lions are getting an MVP season out of Calvin Johnson. He leads the league with nine touchdown catches and is a nightmare for opposing defenses to contain. The biggest key for this team thus far has been Matthew Stafford. The third-year quarterback is healthy and producing. If he stays upright all season long, this team can make a deep postseason run.

Where: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan

When: Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: FOX; DirecTV Channel 708

Listen: KNBR/BONE, Sirius Channel 128 (San Francisco); 97.1 FM WXYT, Sirius Channel 85; NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Detroit (-4.5)

What’s at Stake?

The jury is still out on how good the 49ers actually are. They have been winning games, and finally had a dominant performance against Tampa Bay last week, but they rank near the bottom of the league in total offense.

A victory against the Lions would validate this 49ers team and prove they belong in the conversation with the top teams in the NFC.

The Lions are on a hot streak, the likes of which we have never seen. They are 5-0 for the first time since 1956, and they are winning every which way possible. They have had blowouts, miracle comebacks, overtime wins, etc.

A victory over another division leader will prove that these Lions are not to be taken lightly as we approach the midway point of the season.

49ers Injury Report

WR Josh Morgan—Out (broken ankle)

WR Michael Crabtree—Probable (foot)

RB Frank Gore—Probable (ankle)

Lions Injury Report

TE Tony Scheffler—Questionable (concussion)

What They Are Saying

After four weeks on the sidelines with a foot injury, rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley made his debut against Chicago. He said he was not happy with his performance and expects to be better this week.

“I think I did OK. There’s always room for improvement. That’s how I feel when I’m on D-line. So basically, I’ve just got to watch film, see what I did wrong, correct it, then come back next week and make plays.”

49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh talked about the improvement in Alex Smith so far this season after last week’s game and what has made him so effective.

“I think it’s all the guys. It’s always the unit. It’s always how they play together, how they function together. I think he had time to see things today because the offensive line did a great job protecting, not just straining but locking guys up at the line of scrimmage. All together, receivers that make plays for you like that, running game that gets cranked up, I think it all feeds on each of those phases.”

49ers Player To Watch: Michael Crabtree, WR

Losing Josh Morgan for the season was a big blow to the team’s already thin receiving corps. The good news is that Michael Crabtree is as healthy as he has been all year, and now he has to step up to become the No. 1 receiver they need.

The Lions don’t have a great secondary, so the 49ers can open up the offense a little bit more this week and take some chances down the field with Crabtree. He has to be counted on for at least five catches and 70-80 yards every week.

Lions Player To Watch: Jahvid Best, RB

The Lions have not been a good rushing team this season, but because Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are so good they haven’t had to rely on the run all that much.

Jahvid Best is coming off by far his best game of the season against Chicago, with 163 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries, and he has to keep improving to make this offense truly unstoppable.

Prediction

The Lions have been fantastic all season long and even better at home. The 49ers are moving in the right direction, but they aren’t quite ready to play with the better teams in the NFC.

Lions 27, 49ers 17