San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions: 2011 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-10-16, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 25–19 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -12.10 total EPA, and -6.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, F. Gore (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.64 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+26.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (1:56) 11-Alex Smith pass short right to 46-D.Walker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.

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 F. Gore · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +6.64 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.69 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Walker · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Ginn · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +1.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
5. 5 V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +0.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Best · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Heller · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Morris · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.07 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 — B. Pettigrew (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 49:50)
• San Francisco 49ers — F. Gore (Q2 45:00)
• Detroit Lions — N. Burleson (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 13:53)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Walker (Q4 1:56)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q1 56:39)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q2 30:05)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 26:45)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q3 24:27)
• San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers (Q4 1:06)

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 10–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 7 (Q1 56:39) — (11:39) 4-J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 16 (Q1 49:50); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 49:44) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 12–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 75-A.Boone reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 44:57) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers registered a safety from the SF 89 (Q2 37:50) — (7:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked in End Zone for -11 yards, SAFETY (99-Ald.Smith).; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 37 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 2-D.Akers 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 6 (Q3 26:45) — (11:45) 4-J.Hanson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 13 (Q3 24:27) — (9:27) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 5 (Q4 13:53); San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q4 1:56); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:51) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 19 (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) 2-D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 11-Alex Smith pass short right to 46-D.Walker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +26.0% · EPA +4.37]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 25:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) 21-F.Gore right tackle to DET 28 for 55 yards (23-C.Houston). PENALTY on DET-23-C.Houston, Horse Collar Tackle, 14 yards, enforced at DET 28. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +5.74]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 16:54) — (1:54) 11-Alex Smith pass deep middle intended for 15-M.Crabtree INTERCEPTED by 42-A.Spievey at DET 21. 42-A.Spievey to SF 49 for 30 yards (46-D.Walker). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.95]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 1:19) — (1:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to 13-N.Burleson (22-C.Rogers). [WPA -16.1% · EPA -3.24]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) 11-Alex Smith sacked at SF 32 for -7 yards (93-K.Vanden Bosch). FUMBLES (93-K.Vanden Bosch), RECOVERED by DET-93-K.Vanden Bosch at SF 32. 93-K.Vanden Bosch to SF 32 for no gain (74-J.Staley). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.60]

Impact plays

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 25:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) 21-F.Gore right tackle to DET 28 for 55 yards (23-C.Houston). PENALTY on DET-23-C.Houston, Horse Collar Tackle, 14 yards, enforced at DET 28. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +5.74]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) 11-Alex Smith sacked at SF 32 for -7 yards (93-K.Vanden Bosch). FUMBLES (93-K.Vanden Bosch), RECOVERED by DET-93-K.Vanden Bosch at SF 32. 93-K.Vanden Bosch to SF 32 for no gain (74-J.Staley). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.60]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 16:54) — (1:54) 11-Alex Smith pass deep middle intended for 15-M.Crabtree INTERCEPTED by 42-A.Spievey at DET 21. 42-A.Spievey to SF 49 for 30 yards (46-D.Walker). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.95]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 11-Alex Smith pass short right to 46-D.Walker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +26.0% · EPA +4.37]

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) · 61 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · -6.0% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -12.10 total EPA
• A.Smith (San Francisco 49ers) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · -10.9% CPOE · -0.52 EPA/play · -18.72 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 16 drives, -23.61 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 16 drives, -15.66 total EPA, 5 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.
• F. Gore (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• A. Smith (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 56:39 · SF 7 · Score 0-3
   (11:39) 4-J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 49:50 · SF 16 · Score 0-9
   (4:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 87-B.Pettigrew for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on SF, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 49:44 · SF 2 · Score 0-10
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
4. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DET 1 · Score 6-10
   (15:00) 75-A.Boone reported in as eligible. 21-F.Gore right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 44:57 · DET 2 · Score 7-10
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
6. San Francisco 49ers Safety (+2) — Q2 37:50 · SF 89 · Score 9-10
   (7:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked in End Zone for -11 yards, SAFETY (99-Ald.Smith).
7. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · DET 37 · Score 12-10
   (:05) 2-D.Akers 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 26:45 · SF 6 · Score 12-13
   (11:45) 4-J.Hanson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
9. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 24:27 · DET 13 · Score 15-13
   (9:27) 2-D.Akers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 13:53 · SF 5 · Score 15-19
    (13:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short middle to 13-N.Burleson. Detroit challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSE
11. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 1:56 · DET 6 · Score 21-19
    (1:56) 11-Alex Smith pass short right to 46-D.Walker for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was
12. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 1:51 · DET 2 · Score 22-19
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
13. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 1:06 · DET 19 · Score 25-19
    (1:06) 2-D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.