San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players Who Will Shine In Week 2

Week 2: 5 Players Who Will Shine For The San Francisco 49ers

After a 2012 season where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers are back and ready to make another run. In Week 1, San Francisco defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-28. The 49ers look like one the best teams in the NFL as we enter Week 2 where they take on their division rival, the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday Night Football.

San Francisco has one of the best defenses in the league. Their defense has star players lined up all over the field, including an incredible group of linebackers in Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman. In 2012, the 49ers gave up the second-fewest amount of points in the NFL and the third-fewest yards. Obviously, this defense is loaded and I see no reason why they will not continue to be dominant.

Offensively, the 49ers have one of the best running games in the league. They have a very strong offensive line and head coach Jim Harbaugh has done a great job of bringing in a creative run scheme for San Francisco. Frank Gore leads the way for the 49ers on the ground, but Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James will get theirs as well. And of course, quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a huge threat to run.

Kaepernick proved he could do it with his arm as well in Week 1 against Green Bay. He completed 27 passes on 39 attempts for 412 and three touchdowns. He was simply incredible. The Packers tried to stop him from running the ball, so Kaepernick attacked them through the air.

The biggest weakness on this San Francisco team is the receiving options. Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis are the only players who have legitimate NFL experience in the receiving core. Both guys played incredible in Week 1, but defenses are going to start taking them away. Other receiving options are simply going to have to step up for San Francisco, if the passing game is going to continue to be successful.

This Week 2 game against the Seahawks is going to be awesome. I think Seattle is also one of the best teams in the NFL. Their defense rivals San Francisco's, quarterback Russell Wilson is a great player and Marshawn Lynch leads a tough Seattle run game. These two teams will be fighting for the NFC West crown all season long and it begins on Sunday. I like the 49ers in this game and the players on this list will be a huge reason why I think they will win. Here are five 49ers who will shine in Week 2.

Daniel is a writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @D_Schmelzer, "Like" him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

Frank Gore

The Seattle defense is tough against the run so it will not be an easy day for Gore. That being said, I think the 49ers will try hard to establish a running game and Gore is obviously a huge part of that. It will not be easy, but I have faith in Gore as a runner and think he will get a lot of opportunity to make some noise in this game.

Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick sold me last week. Seattle has one of the best defenses in the league and I still think Kaepernick will shine. The guy is simply incredible. He is one of the most athletic players in the NFL, regardless of position. Last week, he proved to the world that he can throw the ball as well as anybody. There is simply nothing this man cannot do.

Ray McDonald

After a couple of obvious names, Ray McDonald is a guy that mostly flies under the radar. In a defense full of star players, McDonald is a very underrated asset. He plays the defensive end position in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. His No. 1 job is to take up blocks and allow his linebackers to make plays. McDonald does an incredible job of this, but I think he wreaks havoc in this game on the stat sheet. McDonald is lined up on the same side as linebacker Ahmad Brooks. On the other side is perennial pro-bowlers Aldon and Justin Smith. These guys are simply incredible and I think Seattle will be paying a ton of attention to them. This could open up some opportunity for a guy like McDonald to impress.

Quinton Patton

As I said earlier, the 49ers need another wide receiver to step up. I believe that the Seahawks will have lock-down corner Richard Sherman lined up on Boldin as they look to shut him down. Somebody will have to step up as Sherman is the best corner in the league. Quinton Patton is a guy that I really like. He has good athletic ability and catches everything thrown to him. The rookie Patton impressed in the preseason, but never really got a chance in Week 1. I think the 49ers will give the rookie a shot on Sunday and he will not disappoint.

Eric Reid

San Francisco traded up to draft Reid in the first round of the draft back in April. After the Week 1 game against Green Bay, I see why. Reid is simply a playmaker from the safety position. The guy has a nose for the ball and he makes incredible plays in both the running game and passing game. Reid intercepted Aaron Rodgers last week and had a total of seven tackles. I think he continues to impress this week against the Seahawks.