Forget the handshake, Lions need to give 49ers a head slap

It’s not all about the Backslap and the Handshake and the nasty words. But in a way it is, because the Jim Showdown — Schwartz versus Harbaugh — after the 49ers’ victory over the Lions last season was symbolic of the game.
San Francisco physically dismissed Detroit in that contest, sacking Matthew Stafford five times on the way to a 25-19 victory. Frank Gore ran for 141 yards and the 49ers pulled it out despite committing 15 penalties.
The post-game handshake — Harbaugh back-slapped and (allegedly) cursed at Schwartz, who responded by yelling and chasing him down the field — is why the Sunday night rematch in San Francisco is so intriguing. Cameras will focus on the pre-game, post-game and mid-game decorum of the coaches, but come on. Schwartz and Harbaugh are hotly competitive, but they’re smart enough not to further the feud. Neither is talking much about it and I doubt you’ll see an ugly exchange — not a flippant handshake, not a wrestling headlock, not even a sneaky wet willie.
What we will see is a contrast in styles, and the Lions’ latest attempt to prove they belong with the elite. On their way to a 10-6 mark and a playoff spot last season, the Lions didn’t beat a team that finished with a winning record. They didn’t beat San Francisco, Atlanta or Green Bay at home.
Lions players shouldn’t get caught up in whether their head coach was punked, as the kids like to say. The best way they can have Schwartz’s back is by not getting punked on the field, and that’s quite a challenge.
The 49ers just rolled into Lambeau Field and stuffed the pass-happy Packers 30-22, and look like one of the top three teams in the NFL. They win the old-school way, with a terrific defense led by linebacker Patrick Willis, a punishing ground game and a solid, game-managing quarterback, Alex Smith.
The Lions are constructed differently, partly out of necessity. They can outscore just about anybody, but can they outslug just about anybody? We haven’t seen that yet. If Ndamukong Suh and the defensive line are as physical as they were in the opener against the Rams, when they held Steven Jackson to 53 yards rushing, they’ll have a shot.
The handshake will be a fun sideshow, and I guarantee Schwartz burns for redemption. But it’s far more important for the Lions to give the 49ers a dazed headshake.
Bob.wojnowski@detnews.com