Historically, players who are featured on the cover of Madden see significant drops in their offensive production. NFL.com is tracking the performance of Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions over the course of the 2012 season because we believe Calvin Johnson will debunk the Madden curse.

(Associated Press)

This week in Madden Curse Watch the Detroit Lions head to Candle Stick Park to face the San Francisco 49ers. Last week, Madden cover boy, Calvin Johnson escaped Week 1 unscathed. Would he be so lucky in Week 2? Scroll to find out.

But before we begin…

Are the coaches frenemies now?

(Ric Tapia/NFL)

Nothing to see here folks. On to Madden Curse Watch!

————————————————————————————————————————————–

Week 2 started with some omnious news.

RT @ttwentyman: WR Calvin Johnson listed on Lions injury report with a foot injury wp.me/pBLTq-10P #DETvsSF—
Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) September 12, 2012

Well there goes this poster…

Are you ready for @SNFonNBC? @bigplaycj #DETvsSF http://t.co/ptWqo4OA—
Detroit Lions (@DetroitLionsNFL) September 12, 2012

Fortunately for Sunday Night Football, Lions fans and fantasy football teams around the world, Johnson returned to practice the next day.

WR Calvin Johnson a full participant in practice; CB Chris Houston still limited wp.me/pBLTq-114—
Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 13, 2012

Whew! Now on to the game!

Megatron hauling in a ball in pre game #SNF @DetroitLionsNFL @Bigplaycj http://t.co/HHMCrWzA—
SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 17, 2012

The 49ers’ defense did not let No. 81 out of their sight. Hello, Donte Whitner.

(Cary Edmondson/US Presswire)

NaVorro Bowman, nice to see you, too.

(Cary Edmondson/US Presswire)

Luckily for Detroit, kicker Jason Hanson put the team on the board with six points in the first half.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

And in the second half more of the same.

(Tony Avelar/Associated Press)

Fourth quarter arrives and the Lions start to wake up. But as the saying goes — too little, too late.

Down by 15 points, Matt Stafford throws to Megatron for 22-yards.

But Brandon Pettigrew gets the touchdown.

(Tony Avelar/Associated Press)

And the 49ers get the win

(Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

Despite finishing the game with eight catches for 94 yards. It wasn’t enough for Calvin Johnson and the Lions to overcome the the 49ers at home. The Madden Curse still looms, but Johnson isn’t going down without a fight.

(Tony Avelar/Associated Press)

Posted in: Sidelines  | comments  |