Lions gamble on onside kick ends game

The 49ers didn’t have any players deep when the Lions set up for an onside kick, and Jason Hanson tried to exploit it.

Hanson kicked it over the hands team, but didn’t get any friendly bounces. San Francisco wide receiver Kyle Williams jumped on the ball, and the 49ers ran out the clock.

The Lions kept it close, but lost 27-19.

Here is a scoring summary for the night:

First quarter

12:29: 49ers 7, Lions 0

Scoring play: 21-yard pass from Alex Smith to tight end Vernon Davis.

How it happened: After starting the drive with an incomplete pass, San Francisco marched easily down the field with three big plays. They picked up 29 yards on a reverse by wide receiver Mario Manningham. Smith then found wide out Michael Crabtree for a 17-yard completion. On the next play, Davis was wide open in the end zone.

7:51: 49ers 7, Lions 3

Scoring play: 38-yard field goal by Jason Hanson

How it happened: The Lions benefited from a 33-yard pass interference call on a deep pass to Titus Young. After the penalties moved the Lions to the San Francisco 26, they only gained two yards on the next three plays and had to settle for a field goal.

6:47: 49ers 7, Lions 6

Scoring play: 41-yard field goal by Jason Hanson

How it happened: Linebacker Tahir Whitehead forced a fumble on the kickoff, and Lions wide receiver Kassim Osgood recovered at the San Francisco 25. But again, the Lions couldn’t move the ball and had to settle for a field goal — one that went off the upright and through.

Second quarter

14:57: 49ers 14, Lions 6

Scoring play: One-yard run by Frank Gore

How it happened: Penalties. The Lions held the 49ers to a field goal, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty against Drayton Florence gave the 49ers a first down at the Detroit 12. On second down, cornerback Jacob Lacey was called for pass interference in the end zone. Gore punched it in on the next play.

Third quarter

9:46: 49ers 17, Lions 6

Scoring play: 36-yard field goal by David Akers

How it happened: The 49ers moved the ball easily down the field before settling for the field goal. Frank Gore had an 11-yard run, Kendall Hunter had a 13-yarder and both Mario Manningham and Vernon Davis caught 13-yard passes. Ndamukong Suh’s 10-yard sack on first down at the Detroit 24 helped stymy the 49ers.

3:44: 49ers 17, Lions 9

Scoring play: 40-yard field goal by Jason Hanson

How it happened: After a Stefan Logan return started the Lions at their own 39, the Lions leaned on Kevin Smith and the running game. Smith picked up 12 yards on a pass play on third and 1 that moved them across midfield. The Lions made it down to the San Francisco 22 before the drive stalled.

Fourth quarter

14:47: 49ers 20, Lions 9

Scoring play: 48-yard field goal by David Akers

How it happened: Poor tackling. The 49ers used short pass plays to create big gains, including two receptions for 21 yards by Hunter. A 12-yard run by Gore moved them into field goal territory, and the Lions defense managed to hold.

9:21: 49ers 20, Lions 12

Scoring play: 48-yard field goal by Jason Hanson

How it happened: On the second play of the drive, Stafford hit Johnson for a 26-yard pass over the middle. A few plays later, Stafford ran for 11 yards on a called quarterback draw that moved them to the San Francisco 23. But Stafford was sacked two plays later, and the offense had to settle for 3.

3:04: 49ers 27, Lions 12

Scoring play: 23-yard pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis

How it happened: Michael Crabtree had three catches for 34 yards on the drive, each on a third down play that gave the 49ers a first down. The three third downs were from 7, 14 and 9 yards. It was a deflating drive for the Lions defense, and the score sealed a Lions loss.

1:35: 49ers 27, Lions 19

Scoring play: 9-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Brandon Pettigrew

How it happened: Running back Joique Bell caught a pass and ran for 50 yards to move the Lions in scoring range. Needing a touchdown, the Lions went for it on fourth and 4 from the San Francisco 31, and Stafford found Johnson for a 22-yard completion. Then on third and goal, Stafford found the tight end.