The Detroit Lions have finally fired GM/President Matt Millen after 7 years and three weeks of pure agony.  The Lions’ slow start this season (0-3) combined with the owner’s son’s frustration is what doomed Millen in the end.  The Lions compiled a 31-84 record (27%) on Millen’s watch as it was amazing that he ducked the chopping block so long.  One had to wonder if he had something on someone above him or not.  This is addition by subtraction for the Lions as it can’t get much worse than it is right now.

The 49ers destroyed the Lions last Sunday and you could just see former offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz beaming on the sideline.  Jon Kitna was awful as usual completing 15 of 30 passes for 146 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception.  Backup Dan Orlovsky got in on the action throwing a interception on his only pass attempt.  Rudi Johnson was the leading rusher for the Lions with 83 yards on 14 carries (5.9 ypc).  He also caught 3 passes for 48 yards (16.0 avg) including a TD grab.  Calvin Johnson led the Lions with 4 catches for 40 yards against the Niners.  The Lions finished up with 116 yards rushing on 20 carries (5.8 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 31 passes for 124 yards.

Linebackers Ernie Sims (13 tackles) and Alex Lewis (8 tackles) led the way on defense for the Lions.  The 49ers finished up with 182 yards rushing on 39 carries (4.7 ypc) and they also completed 16 of 23 passes for 188 yards.  The Lions are now 0-3 on the season.

This is a game that has a lot of bad blood involved in it.  Niners’ offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz held the same post with the Lions last season but he was fired in the offseason.  QB J.T. O’Sullivan also was a Lion last year as he backed up Jon Kitna.  The 49ers should be able to do whatever they want on offense in this game as the Lions are allowing 220.5 yards rushing per game and 240.0 yards passing per game this season.  With that in mind look for Frank Gore to get the ball quite often as he already has 250 yards from scrimmage this season.  QB J.T. O’Sullivan already has 516 passing yards this season and he will likely spread the ball around to a lot of receivers with Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce getting most of the downfield passes.

The Lions must be able to run the football against the 49ers to keep their offense on the sidelines.  Rookie Kevin Smith and Rudi Johnson will likely get most of the carries against a Niners’ defense that is allowing 139.0 yards rushing per game this season.  It appears however that this game could dissolve into a shootout and the Lions’ are equipped to throw the ball downfield with WRs Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey.

PREDICTION:  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 41, DETROIT LIONS 34

The Lions collapsed in a big way late in this football game as they looked pathetic.  Jon Kitna completed 21 of 41 passes for 276 yards with 2 TD passes and 3 interceptions (two of which were returned for TDs by the Packers).  After Kitna’s second pick six of the game the Lions yanked him and replaced him with Dan Orlovsky.  Orlovsky completed 2 of 4 passes for 6 yards late in the game.  Kevin Smith carried the football 10 times for 40 yards (4.0 ypc) and he also added 21 yards receiving on 4 catches (5.3 avg).  WR Calvin Johnson had a huge game for the Lions with 6 grabs for 129 yards (21.5 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  The Lions finished up with only 49 yards rushing on 12 carries (4.1 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 45 passes for 262 yards.  The Lions didn’t have the ball very long as they only had possession of the football for 24:32 of this game.

Safety Daniel Bullocks led a lame Lions’ Defense with 12 tackles.  Linebacker Paris Lenon pitched in with 7 tackles.  The Packers finished up with 123 yards rushing on 30 carries (4.1 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 38 passes for 324 yards.  It looks like it’s going to be another very long season for the Lions who are now 0-2 on the season.

The Green Bay Packers swept the Lions last season outscoring them 71-39 but that was with Brett Favre calling the plays.  The Packers will likely come off of the bus trying to run the football against a Lions’ Defense that allowed 318 yards rushing (7.6 ypc) last week against the Falcons.  Ryan Grant rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries (7.7 ypc) last week against a tough Vikings’ defense so he will likely have little trouble running against the Lions.  Look for Brandon Jackson to also get some work in this football game as Grant will get tired at some point from running all 0ver the Lions.  Look for Aaron Rodgers, who had an outstanding first career start last week, to throw deep off of play action passing to WRs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver.  The Packers should have little trouble moving the ball against the Lions tomorrow.

The Lions should be able to run the football some against the Packers who allowed 187 yards and 5.7 yards per carry against the Vikings last week.  But, the Lions don’t have the same kind of personnel that the Vikings have so Kevin Smith and Rudi Johnson likely won’t have near the success running the ball that Minnesota did.  Still, it would be foolish for the Lions not to throw the ball as Jon Kitna has quality targets in Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald.

PREDICTION:  GREEN BAY PACKERS 27, DETROIT LIONS 24