Breida Helps 49ers Get Back on Winning Track

When the 49ers lost No. 1 running back Jerick McKinnon just before the season opener, there was concern about his absence.McKinnon, a versatile running and receiving threat, was tailor-made for the Kyle Shanahan offense. Could second-year running back Matt Breida or veteran Alfred Morris pick up the slack?On Sunday in the 49ers' first victory of 2018, Breida showed the Niners he may be up to the challenge.Breida, the quick, darting former undrafted free agent from Georgia Southern, rushed for 138 yards – including 66 on a breakaway touchdown run late in the third quarter – to help San Francisco to a 30-27 win over the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium.The game was still in doubt at that point, with the 49ers holding a 20-13 lead, when Breida essentially put the game out of reach.After a Lions punt pinned the 49ers at their own 3-yard line, Jimmy Garoppolo completed an 11-yard pass to tight end Garrett Celek to get his team to the 14. Breida than broke off a 20-yard run to get the ball out to the 34. Garoppolo then handed off to Breida ("The Cheetah"), who broke through the line of scrimmage, sprinted past several Detroit defenders, used some key blocks deep in Lions...