49ers Defeat Lions 25-19: Notable Stats And Performances

The 49ers sent out post-game notes on the victory over the Detroit Lions, so I figured I'd post them after the jump. The format is a little funky, but you should be able to read them without too much trouble.

The 49ers head into their bye sitting at 5-1 for the first time since 1998 and won their first three road games of the season for the first time since 1992. I can't find the stat, but they have claimed three straight east coast games, which I believe is the first time that has happened for any west coast team in quite some time.

Individual notable performances abound as the team got big plays across the board. It wasn't a pretty victory, but here are a few of the notable names from the day:

Frank Gore: 15 rushes, 141 yards, 1 touchdown - He had several big gains throughout the game, but his performance on the 49ers first scoring drive was as big as anything. The 49ers were down 10-0 and out of sync. He rushed twice for 61 yards before punching in a one yard touchdown. The team was teetering heading into that drive and he righted the ship.

Aldon Smith: 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass deflection - Another week, another pair of sacks. He played every defensive snap of the second half due to an injury to Parys Haralson and held his own in his first snaps at outside linebacker. He has plenty of room for growth but he is off to a blazing start as a pass rusher. He has 5.5 sacks over his last three games and likely will be up for Rookie of the Week once again. Not too bad for a "project."

49ers front seven: Contained Jahvid Best and got some solid pressure on Matthew Stafford for much of the game. Five sacks and ten QB hits helped keep the Lions offense from getting into too much of a rhythm.

49ers secondary: It really was an overall impressive show. The 49ers secondary split up coverage of Calvin Johnson to multiple defensive backs. He had 113 receiving yards, but the drive of his biggest catch (41 yards) did not result in a score. There was no back-breaking play by Megatron and that is exactly how you contain him. It isn't pretty, but it's effective enough

I could go on and on, and through the coming week or two we'll have plenty to say about the 49ers' performances to date. For now though, head after the jump for your fill of stats

• San Francisco improved to 5-1 for the first time since 1998 and recorded their first four-game winning streak since 2001.
• The 49ers won their first three road games for the first time since 1992.
• The Niners won their 8^th consecutive game over the Lions, the longest streak for the Niners vs. any opponent. 

Pounding the Rock

·         The 49ers offense rushed for 203 yds. at Det. and 213 yds. last week vs. TB, marking the 1^st time the team has rushed for over 200 yds. in back-to-back games since 1998 (12/6 at Car., 236 yds. and 12/14 vs. Det., 328 yds.). 

Run Defense Continues Streak

·         The 49ers run defense has not allowed a 100-yd. rusher in the last 28 games, which marks the longest active streak in the NFL. The next closest team to not allow a 100-yd. rusher is New England (13).

Bringing ‘Em Down

·         LB Aldon Smith recorded a career-high 2.0 sacks on the day. His first sack occurred in the end zone for a safety in the 2^nd qtr. The safety by Smith was the 1^st for the 49ers since 12/7/03 vs. Arz. when Cardinals RB Marcel Ship recovered a fumble in the end zone and was tackled by LB Jeff Ulbrich. Smith posted his second sack in the 4^th qtr., which also forced a fumble.

·         LB Ahmad Brooks netted his 2^nd sack of the year and 16^th of his career after pulling down Lions QB Matthew Stafford for a 7-yd. sack.

·         DT Justin Smith registered his 4^th sack of the season and 68^th of his career.

·         DT Ray McDonald recorded his 3.5 sack of the season and 8.5 of his career. 

History Books

·         RB Frank Gore scored his 4^th rushing TD of the season on a 1-yd. rush, the 39^th of his career.

·         Gore's TD marked the 1^st time since 2009 that he scored a rushing TD in three consecutive games (11/1 at Ind., 11/8 vs. Ten. and 11/12 vs. Chi.).

·         On the scoring drive, Gore sprinted for a 55-yd. rush, the longest rushing play for the 49ers this season.

·         With 141 rushing yds. at Det., Gore has hit the century mark in 3 consecutive games for the 3^rd time in his career.

·         With 15 rush atts. on the day, RB Frank Gore moved into 3^rd place in franchise history with 1,480 rush. atts., surpassing RB Joe Perry - 1,475 atts. 

Comeback Kid

·         QB Alex Smith has led the 49ers on three come from behind victories this season (at. Cin., at Phi. and at Det.). 

Grabtree

·         WR Michael Crabtree hauled in 9 recepts. on the day, tying his career high (9 recepts. - 10/10/10 vs. Phi). 

Golden Boot

·         K David Akers connected on a 55-yd. FG, which is tied for the 3^rd longest FG in franchise history (Joe Nedney, 56 yds. at StL - 12/24/05, Mike Cofer, 56 yds. at Atl. - 10/14/90, David Akers, 55 yds. vs. Dal. - 9/18/11). The 55-yarder is his 2^nd 55-yd. FG of the season, and ties for the 2^nd longest of his career (57 yds. vs. NE - 9/14/03 and 55 yds. vs. Dal. - 9/18/11).

·         K David Akers' 55-yd. FG is t-3^rd longest FG in the NFL this season (Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski, 63 yds. and 55 yds., Packers K Mason Crosby, 56 yds. and Jaguars K Josh Scobee, 55 yds.).

·         The 55-yd. FG marks the 1^st time in Akers' career that he has made three, 50+ yd. FGs in a season. 

Making His Debut

·         WR Brett Swain made his debut for the 49ers. 

Extending Their Streaks

·         TE/LS Brian Jennings has now played in 182 consecutive games.

·         DT Justin Smith has now started 161 consecutive games, dating back to his rookie season in 2001. Smith's consecutive start streak ranks 3^rd among defensive players and 5^th among all NFL players.

·         TE Vernon Davis has now started 65 consecutive games, which ranks 3^rd in the NFL among TE's behind Tony Gonzalez (76) and Jason Witten (73).