The San Francisco 49ers head into Week 2 of the NFL season, which means it’s prediction time once again! Jimmy Garoppolo is coming back from a game against the Minnesota Vikings where he was brought back to earth, throwing three interceptions. The Lions have their own set of problems under first-year head coach Matt Patricia, suffering a 31-point drubbing against the New York Jets being one of them. With that in mind, it’s time to do predictions for today.
The predictions will include:
1. The first offensive play the 49ers will run/attempt to execute,
2. The first player on defense (not special teams) who will make a tackle, and
3. How the team’s first touchdown will be scored (if you think one will be scored).
Here are the ground rules for the predictions.
Offensive Play Prediction Guidelines: Try to be as specific as you can on what you think the 49ers’ first offensive play will be. Don’t just say “pass play” or “run play”. Instead, say “Garoppolo throws a slant route to Garçon for 7 yards” or “Alfred Morris runs right side and picks up three yards.” You can also predict incompletions, interceptions, fumbles, touchdowns, and even a safety if you really think that will happen on the first offensive play!
Defensive Tackle Prediction Guidelines: Predicting the first defensive play is much more obscure, so this one is a simpler category -- project who you think will make the team’s first tackle that does not come on special teams or a returned interception/fumble.
First Touchdown Against Detroit: If you do not think the 49ers will score a touchdown, then say “no touchdowns” as your answer. Otherwise, predict how you think the 49ers’ first offensive touchdown will be scored, along with the person(s) who will score. You can predict it to be on offense, defense, or special teams. If you predict a passing touchdown, name both the quarterback and the receiver.
Here is the template you can copy+paste for your comments:
First Offensive Play:
First Defensive Tackle:
First Touchdown:
Here are my predictions.
First Offensive Play: Outside zone run by Matt Breida out of I formation.
First Defensive Tackle: Fred Warner of LeGarrette Blount
First Touchdown: Dante Pettis, 20-yard catch in the middle of the endzone after a Jimmy Garoppolo flush from the pocket.