On A Roll: San Francisco Defeats Detroit, 31-13

Are the 49ers an offensive juggernaut? No, not yet, but during certain moments against the Detroit Lions (0-3), the San Francisco 49ers (2-1) played the part. The 49ers defeated the Lions, 31-13, on Sunday as quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and offensive maestro Mike Martz directed another impressive scoring output.

O’Sullivan, on his way to casting aside his journeyman quarterback tag, went 16-for-23 for 189 yards and two touchdowns. At times, O’Sullivan appeared to be the pass-happy thrower every Martz quarterback is known to become under his tutelage. O’Sullivan found eight different receivers against Detroit without any turnovers.

On one particularly outstanding San Francisco drive, O’Sullivan threw three straight passes, the last a 24-yard touchdown strike to Delanie Walker. The 49ers went three plays for 72 yards and a score. This type of offensive precision and air attack by the 49ers has rarely been seen.

To temper heightened expectations about the 49ers and their place in the NFL after two victories, this win came against one of the worst teams in the league. But, the 49ers seem to have the makings of a potent offense, a unit with the utmost confidence in Martz and O’Sullivan. And to O’Sullivan’s credit, he’s proven in the short run, to be a solid quarterback and dangerous play maker. For O’Sullivan and the 49ers, a stern test awaits in a string of tough opponents.

Running back Frank Gore ran for 130 yards and one touchdown and caught four balls for 32 yards. Gore exists as San Francisco’s balance in Martz’s pass-frequently offense.

Tight end Walker, who caught three balls for 44 yards and one touchdown, could transition from unknown to known this season. Playing behind starter Vernon Davis, Walker doesn’t have typical tight end size, but has the speed and catching ability of a receiver. Though Davis is a speedy physical specimen, he consistently drops easy passes. Undoubtedly, Martz will create different ways to get the ball in Walker’s hands.

With games at New Orleans and at home against New England and Philadelphia, the 49ers will receive a better evaluate of their talents. Against the Saints this week, the 49ers might be able to score at will again, but how their defense fairs will determine the game. In many ways, the victory over Detroit was necessary even though it’s only the third game of the season. With the win, San Francisco kept pace with Arizona and will enter New Orleans on Sunday with quite a bit of momentum on its sideline.

> Find SF 49ers apparel & hats online through Pro Football Fans and check the 2008 NFL scoreboard as well!

Martz the Magician

The role of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz can’t be underestimated in evaluating the 49ers suddenly explosive offensive attack. For a team that finished dead last in almost every offensive category in 2007, to have the qualified Martz as play-caller provides an instant boost of confidence. Instead of second-guessing, something that happened frequently last year, the 49ers’ offensive players believe in Martz and more importantly, respect his talent and wisdom. The players have suspended all thought and judgment about the team’s offense. They simply line-up and play.

O’Sullivan’s Rise

If Martz can’t be overlooked, then O’Sullivan has to be mentioned as well. The UC Davis graduate, career NFL backup and suspect starter has everyone believing in him right now. In San Francisco’s first victory of the season, O’Sullivan threw for 321 yards against Seattle and then followed up that performance with 189 passing yards against Detroit. Maybe his games look even better when placed against the 49ers’ backdrop of bleak quarterback play over the last few years, but possibly he’s played well and is the real deal.

He’s shown a strong, accurate arm, scrambled when needed and exhibited an edgy, chip on his shoulder attitude. But, all these complimentary adjectives can turn negative in the span of one bad quarter. And for some reason, the 2-1 record, the back-to-back thirty-point plus scoring bursts and the season in general have the feel of a ticking clock. As if all this isn’t real, but fantasy and once midnight strikes, O’Sullivan, Martz and the 49ers will turn into pumpkins.

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent