Detroit Lions keys to home win versus San Francisco

Detroit Lions Key No. 2- Sound defense

In his Monday presser, Dan Campbell mentioned the “eye candy” that Kyle Shanahan employs to distract and confuse defenses; the young Lions defense will have to be very disciplined to slow down Kittle and Co.

As mentioned earlier, when asked what stood out about San Francisco’s offense, Campbell went right to George Kittle, the All-Pro tight end who Campbell said could do the dirty work of blocking but was also dangerous wherever he lines up as a receiving threat. His ability to block and run routes equally well give the offense no discernable weakness with any formation.

Kittle is lined up out wide like a regular wideout, in the slot, as an in-line blocker, and can even start from the backfield like a running back or old-school fullback. Frequently, he is the player in motion to either get good blocking position or to set up a pass play. You have to know where No. 85 is on every play.

Running backs Raheem Mostert, rookie Trey Sermon, rookie Elijah Mitchell,  JaMychal Hasty are all capable players who can run in the zone system that has been wildly successful for the ‘Niners. The outside zone, a bread-and-butter play for San Fran, requires athletic centers and tackles in particular but allows runners to read their blocks and make a cut off of how the blocking is developing.

As Campbell remarked earlier this week, stopping it is easier said than done. The multiple fakes and motion, combined with formation variations make predicting plays very difficult, which makes playing assignment-sound football an imperative.