The San Francisco 49ers have played almost flawlessly outside of a fumbled kick return, limiting Matthew Stafford to 67 yards on 7-of-16 passing with an interception as they head to the locker room with a 14-6 lead. The Niners front-seven has also held Lions' backs to just 2.6 yards on their 17 attempts compared to a 7.6 average for their own ground attack (12 rushes for 91 yards).
The 49ers started the game exceptionally well on both sides of the ball, forcing a three-and-out on the Lions then finding the end zone in just four plays with Alex Smith hooking up with Vernon Davis (21-yard TD reception).
From there, the Lions strung together two Jason Hanson field goals with his second set up by a Kendall Hunter fumble on a kick return.
A Dashon Goldson 20-yard interception return had the 49ers sitting pretty but a bad snap on third down made them settle for a David Akers field goal attempt instead.
Then, in a strange-yet-beneficial turn of a events, the 49ers were assisted by a running into the kicker penalty by CB Drayton Florence. With a new set of downs, Smith attempted a shot at the end zone but not before the play clock seemingly hit zero. Apparently the replacement refs weren't looking though because not only did they count the play but they also called a pass interference call on Jacob Lacey to put the Niners at the one-yard line. Running back Frank Gore would finish it from there by pounding in the touchdown.
Neither team had much success for the remainder of the second quarter with Hanson missing his third field-goal attempt from 40 yards out. The 49ers gave the Lions the ball back with a little over a minute left to play after their drive stalled but head coach Jim Schwartz elected to kneel instead of taking any risks.
The 49ers will be getting the ball back to start the second half.
Stick with this StoryStream for updates, scores and more from the Lions vs. 49ers game. For more insight and analysis, check out 49ers blog Niners Nation. For the perspective from Detroit, check out Lions blog Pride of Detroit.