Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2018 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-16, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 30–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +8.05 total EPA, and +1.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.44 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (1:16) 5-B.Pinion punts 44 yards to DET 16, Center-86-K.Nelson. 39-J.Agnew ran ob at DET 16 for no gain.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Garoppolo · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +8.44 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +8.05 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Breida · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +7.57 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.85 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Roberts · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.99 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Garcon · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.19 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
8. 8 G. Celek · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Detroit Lions — K. Golladay (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 47:52)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Bourne (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q2 42:10)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Celek (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q3 28:22)
• San Francisco 49ers — M. Breida (Q3 16:06)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 8:40)
• Detroit Lions — M. Roberts (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 3:33)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q1 51:22)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q2 35:00)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 30:06)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q3 23:50)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q4 11:25)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 27 (Q1 51:22) — (6:22) 9-R.Gould 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 30 (Q1 47:52); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 47:45) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 42:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 84-K.Bourne for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 4. 4-YAC; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 42:07); San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (Q2 35:00) — (5:00) 9-R.Gould 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 9 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 5-M.Prater 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 11 (Q3 28:22) — (13:22) (No Huddle) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 88-G.Celek for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 5. 5-YAC; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 28:17) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q3 23:50) — (8:50) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 66 (Q3 16:06) — (1:06) 22-M.Breida right tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 15:52) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 18 (Q4 11:25) — (11:25) 9-R.Gould 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 5 (Q4 8:40) — (8:40) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 8:36) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 15 (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 80-M.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 3:27) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) 5-B.Pinion punts 44 yards to DET 16, Center-86-K.Nelson. 39-J.Agnew ran ob at DET 16 for no gain. [WPA -15.5% · EPA -0.13]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 80-M.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +3.99]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 36:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 18 for -8 yards (47-E.Lee). FUMBLES (47-E.Lee), RECOVERED by SF-54-C.Marsh at DET 16. 54-C.Marsh to DET 16 for no gain (71-R.Wagner). Total Sack loss 10 yar [WPA -11.4% · EPA -5.04]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 16:06) — (1:06) 22-M.Breida right tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +5.42]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 85-G.Kittle to DET 30 for 17 yards (27-G.Quin). Caught at DET 35. 5-YAC [WPA +9.8% · EPA +1.93]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q4 10:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 15-G.Tate to SF 10 for 67 yards (29-J.Tartt, 47-E.Lee). Caught SF 47. 37-YAC [WPA +2.1% · EPA +5.62]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 16:06) — (1:06) 22-M.Breida right tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +5.42]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 36:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 18 for -8 yards (47-E.Lee). FUMBLES (47-E.Lee), RECOVERED by SF-54-C.Marsh at DET 16. 54-C.Marsh to DET 16 for no gain (71-R.Wagner). Total Sack loss 10 yar [WPA -11.4% · EPA -5.04]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 80-M.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +3.99]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 58 dropbacks · 58.6% completion · +1.6% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +8.05 total EPA
• J.Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.4% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +8.44 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, +8.45 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 13 drives, +13.04 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• San Francisco 49ers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 51:22 · DET 27 · Score 0-3
   (6:22) 9-R.Gould 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:52 · SF 30 · Score 6-3
   (2:52) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 15. 15-YAC The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds rulin
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 47:45 · SF 15 · Score 7-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
4. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 42:10 · DET 4 · Score 7-9
   (12:10) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 84-K.Bourne for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 4. 4-YAC
5. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 42:07 · DET 15 · Score 7-10
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion. PENALTY on DET-97-R.Jean Francois, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs
6. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 35:00 · DET 24 · Score 7-13
   (5:00) 9-R.Gould 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · SF 9 · Score 10-13
   (:06) 5-M.Prater 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
8. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 28:22 · DET 11 · Score 10-19
   (13:22) (No Huddle) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 88-G.Celek for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 5. 5-YAC
9. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 28:17 · DET 15 · Score 10-20
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 23:50 · SF 25 · Score 13-20
    (8:50) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
11. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 16:06 · DET 66 · Score 13-26
    (1:06) 22-M.Breida right tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 15:52 · DET 15 · Score 13-27
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
13. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 11:25 · DET 18 · Score 13-30
    (11:25) 9-R.Gould 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 8:40 · SF 5 · Score 19-30
    (8:40) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 8:36 · SF 15 · Score 20-30
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
16. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 3:33 · SF 15 · Score 26-30
    (3:33) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 80-M.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 3:27 · SF 15 · Score 27-30
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.