FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 16 · December 27, 2009 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2009 Week 16 Recap

49ers defeat Lions 20–6 in Week 16

Frank Gore Jr. led Fantasy Impact as 49ers prevailed in a 6–20 Week 16 finish.

Detroit Lions 6 2–13
Final 6–20
San Francisco 49ers 20 7–8 Winner
Winner
San Francisco 49ers
Final score
6–20
Halftime
Detroit Lions 3–6 San Francisco 49ers
Top passer
Arian Smith
FantasyHQ MVP
Frank Gore Jr.
Game date
December 27, 2009

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Cornelius Johnson
    Cornelius Johnson 2 CAR · 32 YDS +2.5 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Nordin 1 REC · 14 YDS +1.4 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Stanton 4 CAR · 18 YDS +1.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · 49ers

  • Frank Gore Jr.
    Frank Gore Jr. 4 REC · 81 YDS +5.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Arian Smith
    Arian Smith 20/33 · 226 YDS · 1 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • V.Davis 3 REC · 18 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
San Francisco 49ers
Final score
San Francisco 49ers 20–6 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 3–6 San Francisco 49ers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Frank Gore Jr.
Top passer
Arian Smith
Biggest EPA play
(8:22) 5-D.Stanton pass short left intended for 86-D.Northcutt INTERCEPTED by 31-D.Bly at …
Game date
2009-12-27

Game summary

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 20–6 on 2009-12-27. Frank Gore Jr. posted a game-high +5.14 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Detroit Lions300306
San Francisco 49ers33140020

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DETDetroit Lions
SFSan Francisco 49ers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 7:11FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    SF 8
    Score
    3-0

    (7:11) 4-J.Hanson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.

  2. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q1 0:57FG
    RSR. Schmitt

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    3-3

    (:57) 2-R.Schmitt 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  3. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q2 2:16FG
    RSR. Schmitt

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 21
    Score
    3-6

    (2:16) 2-R.Schmitt 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  4. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q3 7:24TD
    VDV. Davis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    3-12

    (7:24) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 85-V.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Detroit challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 07:17.)

  5. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q3 7:17XP
    RSR. Schmitt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    3-13

    2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  6. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q3 1:28TD
    Frank Gore Jr.

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    3-19

    (1:28) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. SFSan Francisco 49ers
    Q3 1:08XP
    RSR. Schmitt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    3-20

    2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 3:59FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    SF 20
    Score
    6-20

    (3:59) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Frank Gore Jr.Frank Gore Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
  2. 2Arian SmithArian Smith · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +4.76 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  3. 3V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
  4. 4Cornelius JohnsonCornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
  5. 5M. Crabtree · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  6. 6Devontez WalkerDevontez Walker · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
  7. 7J. Nordin · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
  8. 8D. Stanton · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.96 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Frank Gore Jr.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Frank Gore Jr. — SF · Receiving

Frank Gore Jr. posted the highest total EPA (+5.14) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +0.86 EPA per play.

Frank Gore Jr.'s top snap (+5.02 EPA): (3:23) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 21-F.Gore to DET 6 for 48 yards (75-T.McBride) [59-J.Peterson]. Caught at DET 49.

Biggest single play (-5.93 EPA): D. Stanton — (8:22) 5-D.Stanton pass short left intended for 86-D.Northcutt INTERCEPTED by 31-D.Bly at SF 19. 31-D.Bly to SF 45 for 26 yards (86-D.Northcutt; 76-J.Backus).

Quarterback report card

Arian Smith led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Arian SmithArian Smith (San Francisco 49ers) · 33 dropbacks · 60.6% completion · +2.2% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.76 total EPA
  • D. Stanton (Detroit Lions) · 27 dropbacks · 40.7% completion · -8.4% CPOE · -0.70 EPA/play · -18.77 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsSan Francisco 49ers
Offensive EPA/play-0.282-0.138
Offensive success rate33.3%38.0%
Pass EPA/play-0.479+0.144
Rush EPA/play-0.143-0.503
Defensive EPA/play+0.138+0.282
Defensive success rate62.0%66.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.14 vs -0.28), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: -0.28 EPA/play (6th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
  • San Francisco 49ers: -0.14 EPA/play (22nd percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 14 drives, -23.67 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
  • San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, -10.91 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • San Francisco 49ers — V. Davis (Arian Smith pass) (Q3 7:24)
  • Frank Gore Jr.San Francisco 49ers — Frank Gore Jr. (Q3 1:28)

Field goals

  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q1 7:11)
  • San Francisco 49ers — R. Schmitt (Q1 0:57)
  • San Francisco 49ers — R. Schmitt (Q2 2:16)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q4 3:59)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 8 (Q1 7:11) — (7:11) 4-J.Hanson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 15 (Q1 0:57) — (:57) 2-R.Schmitt 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 21 (Q2 2:16) — (2:16) 2-R.Schmitt 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q3 7:24); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 7:17) — 2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 1:28) — (1:28) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 1:08) — 2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 20 (Q4 3:59) — (3:59) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q2 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass short left intended for 28-M.Morris INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Willis at DET 46. 52-P.Willis to DET 40 for 6 yards (86-D.Northcutt). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.38]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 13:37) — (13:37) 5-D.Stanton sacked at DET 48 for -8 yards (55-A.Brooks). FUMBLES (55-A.Brooks), RECOVERED by SF-51-T.Spikes at SF 47. 51-T.Spikes to SF 47 for no gain (76-J.Backus). D.Stanton charged with a 3 [WPA -12.0% · EPA -5.02]
  • San Francisco 49ers (Q1 2:40) — (2:40) 11-A.Smith pass deep middle to 15-M.Crabtree to DET 14 for 50 yards (41-W.James). Caught at DET 20. [WPA +9.3% · EPA +2.93]
  • San Francisco 49ers (Q2 10:50) — (10:50) 21-F.Gore right guard to DET 24 for no gain (54-D.Levy). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.56]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 11:06) — (11:06) (Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton right tackle to SF 40 for 11 yards (52-P.Willis). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +2.13]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 8:22) — (8:22) 5-D.Stanton pass short left intended for 86-D.Northcutt INTERCEPTED by 31-D.Bly at SF 19. 31-D.Bly to SF 45 for 26 yards (86-D.Northcutt; 76-J.Backus). [WPA -2.2% · EPA -5.93]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 14:01) — (14:01) (Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass deep left intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Goldson at SF 8. 38-D.Goldson to SF 42 for 34 yards (5-D.Stanton). [WPA -2.5% · EPA -5.82]
  • San Francisco 49ers (Q3 3:23) — (3:23) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 21-F.Gore to DET 6 for 48 yards (75-T.McBride) [59-J.Peterson]. Caught at DET 49. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +5.02]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 13:37) — (13:37) 5-D.Stanton sacked at DET 48 for -8 yards (55-A.Brooks). FUMBLES (55-A.Brooks), RECOVERED by SF-51-T.Spikes at SF 47. 51-T.Spikes to SF 47 for no gain (76-J.Backus). D.Stanton charged with a 3 [WPA -12.0% · EPA -5.02]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 7:11 · SF 8 · Score 3-0
    (7:11) 4-J.Hanson 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
  2. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 0:57 · DET 15 · Score 3-3
    (:57) 2-R.Schmitt 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  3. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 2:16 · DET 21 · Score 3-6
    (2:16) 2-R.Schmitt 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  4. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 7:24 · DET 2 · Score 3-12
    (7:24) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 85-V.Davis for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Detroit challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 07:17.)
  5. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 7:17 · DET 2 · Score 3-13
    2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  6. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 1:28 · DET 1 · Score 3-19
    (1:28) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 1:08 · DET 2 · Score 3-20
    2-R.Schmitt extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 3:59 · SF 20 · Score 6-20
    (3:59) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • San Francisco 49ers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • Frank Gore Jr. (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • D. Stanton (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers on 2009-12-27?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 20-6 in Week 16, 2009.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?

Q1: Detroit Lions 3, San Francisco 49ers 3; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, San Francisco 49ers 3; Q3: Detroit Lions 0, San Francisco 49ers 14; Q4: Detroit Lions 3, San Francisco 49ers 0; Final: Detroit Lions 6, San Francisco 49ers 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?

San Francisco 49ers touchdown — V. Davis (A. Smith pass) (Q3 7:24) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Gore (Q3 1:28) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q1 7:11, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — R. Schmitt (Q1 0:57, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — R. Schmitt (Q2 2:16, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q4 3:59, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?

Arian Smith (San Francisco 49ers), 60.6% completion, +2.2% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.76 total passing EPA. D. Stanton (Detroit Lions), 40.7% completion, -8.4% CPOE, -0.70 EPA per dropback, -18.77 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?

Frank Gore Jr. (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.14 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+5.02 EPA): (3:23) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 21-F.Gore to DET 6 for 48 yards (75-T.McBride) [59-J.Peterson]. Caught at DET 49..

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 2-12 Now 2-13 L

San Francisco 49ers

Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W