San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle spoke to reporters this week about the team’s preparation for their upcoming game against the Detroit Lions, discussing their early scouting tactics and the strength of the Lions.

Kittle shared that the 49ers are provided with a spreadsheet that ranks NFL teams. The rankings are color-coded: blue represents teams in the top five or ten, while red marks teams in the bottom ten.

He pointed out that the Lions were highlighted in blue across all offensive categories, a testament to their strong play on that side of the ball.

He praised the Lions’ offense, noting that quarterback Jared Goff is performing well, the receivers are playing at a high level, and the running back and offensive line are also impressive.

Kittle specifically singled out Detroit’s center, Frank Ragnow, calling him a fantastic player and someone he admires, having shared Pro Bowls with him in the past. Kittle also acknowledged the Lions’ defense, despite the team’s numerous injuries.

He commended them for continuing to play at a high level and added that the acquisition of Za’Darius Smith before the trade deadline bolstered the defense even further. The linebackers and secondary are also playing well, according to Kittle.

The Lions and 49ers will face off on Monday in a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game, which took place at Levi’s Stadium.

In that game, the Lions held a 17-point lead at halftime but ultimately lost 34-31, falling short of advancing to their first Super Bowl.

Earlier this week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke about the motivation within his team, particularly following their January loss. Kittle acknowledged Detroit’s strong drive heading into this game, recognizing the passion within the Lions’ locker room, which starts with Coach Campbell.

“They believe in what Coach Campbell talks about every day,” Kittle said.

“They’re going to come in this week, and we’re all aware that they feel they were close to beating us last year, and I think they’re going to do everything they can to come in here and beat us by 30 points. It’s our job to prevent that.

Personally, I expect us to win every game. If you go into a game expecting to lose, you probably will.”

When asked about his thoughts on Coach Campbell, Kittle expressed admiration for his leadership style.

“When you have a head coach who played the game like Campbell did, with grit and a nasty edge, it’s easy to play for him,” Kittle said. “He was loved by his teammates, and that’s why players respect him.

While people on the outside may find his initial press conferences, like the famous ‘biting kneecaps’ remark, funny, it’s clear that he is genuine. Once you get to know him, you see he’s a guy players want to play for.”

Kittle also praised Campbell for holding the team to a high standard and creating a culture of hard work. He noted that the Lions have developed that culture under Campbell’s leadership and are now a formidable team.

However, Kittle made it clear that the 49ers’ goal is to stop the Lions’ momentum and come out on top in Monday’s game.

In summary, Kittle respects the Lions and their coach but remains confident in the 49ers’ ability to win the game and prevent Detroit from getting the upper hand.