The San Francisco 49ers had an awful 2020. They fell well short of Super Bowl aspirations, finishing 6-10 and in last place in the NFC West. Marred last season by historically bad luck with injuries, they head into 2021 with new hope. They have electric talent Trey Lance ready to step in as QB, and their uber-talented roster is back and largely healthy. In Week 1, they get to face the Detroit Lions, owners of a 5-11 record last season.

An optimistic look at 2020 reveals that the lost season's insanely bad luck allowed San Francisco to get a super high draft pick and head into the the next campaign with fresh, exciting talent. This year's skill position group boasts a deep quarterback room with Lance and incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo, dynamic running backs Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon, and a dynamic group of pass catchers: George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel.

The 49ers are plenty talented on defense as well, with two All-Pro-level talents, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Dre Greenlaw, Jason Verrett, Jimmy Ward, Arik Armstead, and other role players add quality depth. Sunday will bring a tall task for the Lions, who overhauled their team (largely for the worse).

Will the 49ers start off their rebound season strongly? Or will Detroit pull off the upset? Here are 4 bold predictions for the game.

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4. Mostert and Sermon each eclipse 100 yards

Kyle Shanahan's offenses with the 49ers have been incredible at running the ball, and it doesn't seem things will be any different this year. With a healthy offensive line, a healthy Raheem Mostert, and newly drafted third-round running back Trey Sermon, the Lions' bottom-five run defense from last year should have its hands full. Shanahan loves to distribute carries among his backs, which should give Mostert and Sermon plenty of opportunities for chunk plays. Expect a huge game from both of them.

3. Brandon Aiyuk explodes for huge game

Although San Francisco is a run-first team, they have no shortage of pass-catching weapons. Aiyuk is a true dynamic X receiver for this offense, and the 49ers will draw up creative plays for him as long as the game is close. Aiyuk has shown insane athleticism, and was on pace for a 1,000-yard season had he played 16 games last year as well. He's going to have a great start to 2021.

2. Nick Bosa notches multiple sacks for 49ers

Bosa played in two games last year, but he was able to be a force in his rookie year in 2019. He notched nine sacks and made the Pro Bowl that year, and appears primed for a full-on breakout now that he is healthy. Against a patchwork Detroit line, he'll be able to wreak havoc and get a couple sacks.

1. 49ers leave Motown with a blowout victory

Simply put, the Lions do not have the talent to compete with the 49ers, even if they draw up a good game plan. Jared Goff and D'Andre Swift are not too shabby themselves, but who are we kidding? San Francisco will win convincingly and get its season off to a great start. An interesting fact is that the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history was won in Detroit, at the end of an NFL season which began in Detroit in Week 1. That was the 1981 NFL season, which culminated in Super Bowl XVI over the Cincinnati Bengals in January of 1982. The Niners hope another NFL season which begins in Detroit leads to another Lombardi Trophy.

Prediction: 49ers 41, Lions 17