What a game, guys. What a game. Another Sunday, another dominating performance by the defense, another day at the office for Alex Smith, another victory. There were some not-so-great moments, like giving away our first turnover in 6 games. Other than that, do we have much to complain about? I don't know...I couldn't watch the game, I was at work because it's Monday here. Monday...
What more can we say? The defense was great except for giving up a long, late touchdown to allow the Lions back in the game (same things as last week). Vernon Davis scored two touchdowns and now has three for the year. Michael Crabtree was the main man on the game-clinching drive, showing he has the mettle to be a No. 1 receiver in this League. Cliff Avril and the Lions displayed some more of their behavior that has earned them the 'dirty reputation'. And yeah.... we look great! The two teams that appeared ahead of us on some power rankings both looked subpar in losses to lesser teams. The Ravens lost against the Eagles who has another 4 turnovers. The Patriots lost at home to the Cardinals. Who's got it better than us? Or better yet...Who's better than us? Nobody!
Here's a good recap with plenty of notes on the game from our friend Christian Gin at examiner.com. Kendall Hunter did fumble a kickoff, ending our streak of turnover-free play, but the secondary contained Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford and only surrendered 296 total yards. | Alex Smith shines again as 49ers tame Lions 27 - 19. (Gin)
There's some notes from Eric Branch and one great quote: Is this a rivalry? "No," Anthony Davis said. "We beat them both times." Love it and it sums the situation up precisely. | Vernon Davis' 2 TDs lead 49ers past Lions. (Branch)
WEEK 2 RECAPS: 49ERS 27, LIONS 19
BASG thinks Alex Smith looks like a Pro Bowl player. He was on the money all night, and if it weren't for all the drops, his numbers would have been off the charts. The main story is Alex, but there's plenty more notes here, including Patrick Willis talking about his hit on Megatron. | Two weeks, two wins, two NFC North QBs outplayed by Alex Smith. (BASG)
49ers vs Lions final score: San Francisco 27, Detroit 19. (Bay Area SB Nation)
49ers gut out win against Lions, improve to 2-0. (Press Democrat)
Alex Smith solid as Niners continue home dominance against Lions. (ESPN)
49ers pound out 27-19 win. (49ers.com)
49ers turn back Lions 27-19. (SFGate)
WEEK 2 OBSERVATIONS
Here's a nice one from Mike Sando. The title says it all, but he explains it in more detail. We look like we're going to be tough to beat. | 49ers can be best without playing their best. (Sando)
Sando notes that our first two wins are against possible playoff opponents. The icing on top of these two victories is that they both help us in battle for home-field advantage (assuming we make the playoffs, hee hee). And hey, all four NFC West teams won, including a Cardinals victory over the Patriots in Foxboro (I thought it was a typo when I first read it). | Rapid reactions: 49ers 27, Lions 19. (Sando)
The game-clinching, 13-play, 79-yard drive is singled out here as being the turning point. We held the Lions out of the end zone until the very end but they stayed in the game. This drive showed what the team is made of and demonstrated that they have what it takes to finish games. | Postgame analysis: 49ers 27, Lions 19. (CBS Sports)
Alex Smith has outgrown the Trent Dilfer, game manager, just don't screw things up, label. Delanie Walker doesn't get enough credit for eating up linebackers on pass plays and lighting them up in breaking Frank Gore for big runs. | Sunday night wrap-up: 49ers kicking it old school. (NBS Sports)
Kevin Lynch has some good observations. We weren't at our best, dropping 6 passes. One player that stood out was Michael Crabtree, being the go-to guy in the game clinching drive, with his tackle-breaking ability being critical. | Six impressions of the 49ers' game. (Lynch)
Capitalizing on opponents miscues is the sign of a good team. Matt Maiocco likes what the Niners did to score their second touchdown of the game. First Dashon Goldson snagged a horrible Matthew Stafford throw for an easy interception. Then Coach Harbaugh took points off the board after a roughing the kicker call on a David Akers FG and the 49ers turned it into a TD. | Maiocco's instant replay: 49ers 27, Lions 19. (Maiocco)
Alex Smith is as tough as a $2.00 steak. | Alex Smith bleeds, leads in 49ers victory over Lions. (Inman)
Well, the two of these guys haven't exactly been favorites of the Niners Nation faithful, but it's better late than never when it comes to seeing the light. | 49ers have become class of the NFL. (Cohn)
Anthony Davis has a feud brewing with Cliff Avril and Vernon Davis implies that there may have been some intention behind the eye-poke that saw him miss time in the first half. I checked the stat line and Avril doesn't appear in it. If I didn't read the recap about the eye-poke, I wouldn't even know that he had played. Of course the Lions have a reputation for cheap, dirty play. | Vernon Davis hopes Avril's eye gouge was unintentional. (Barrows)
One of the matchups that could possibly have favored the Lions was their D-Line against our offensive line. Their D-line is considered one of the best in the League. We won the battle, and the war, and our boys came away unimpressed. | 49ers' O-Line not impressed with Lions front four. (CSN Bay Area)
The Lions are taking some good things from the game and they have good reason. They didn't play their best game, had some costly mistakes, and lost by a TD on the road to one of the NFL's best teams (the best...?). | Lions' Schwartz: "This felt as if it was a playoff game." (Inman)
Randy Moss was limited in his playing time and opportunities, being held to one catch for 15 yards. He was responsible for drawing the pass interference call in the end zone that set up Frank Gore's one-yard TD plunge to open the second quarter. | Postgame: 49ers 27, Lions 19. (Inman)
Calvin Johnson: "They're well coached, disciplined and do what they're supposed to do." (Inman)
Bell-ringer: Harbaugh cites Crabtree, toughness in win over Lions. (Barrows)
Alex Smith changing legacy with San Francisco 49ers. (NFL.com)
Lions try to establish run with limited success. (Press Democrat)
49ers report card: Strong mark for 49ers' win against Lions. (Press Democrat)
Vernon Davis scores twice in win. (49ers.com)
Michael Crabtree converts in the clutch. (49ers.com)
49ers notes: Rare turnover not too costly. (Maiocco)
49ers vs Lions: Thumbs up and thumbs down. (Scout.com)
'Jims' were picture of decorum. (SFGate)
Crabtree was go-to guy on clinching drive. (Branch)
49ers game review. (SFGate)
IN-GAME NOTES
First-quarter review: 49ers 7, Lions 6. (Inman)
Halftime report: 49ers 14, Lions 6. (Inman)
Third-quarter report: 49ers 17, Lions 9. (Inman)
A surprise in the first half. (Lynch)
Halftime: 49ers, Lions pick up where they left off last year. (Barrows)
49ers 14, Lions 6 - Halftime report. (Maiocco)
VIDEOS
Game Highlights: 49ers 27 - Lions 19. (49ers.com)
Press Pass: Week 2 postgame. (49ers.com)
And a final video for your approval:
Vernon Davis is improving each week. Not so much in his play, he's been consistent for years, but in his TD celebrations. Running floater in the lane was much smoother than his dunk rejection from last week. Here's the video in case you missed it. | Vernon Davis changes up touchdown celebration with jumpshot instead of dunk. (Yahoo!)
That's all. Have a good Monday. Monday's are much easier after a victory, I know, I found out about the win in the morning here. Sorry if it's a bit disjointed, but there's so many links and so little time. Enjoy!
Being a Sheep
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