Quick answer
- Winner
- San Francisco 49ers
- Final score
- San Francisco 49ers 31–13 Detroit Lions
- Halftime
- Detroit Lions 3–21 San Francisco 49ers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- J. O'Sullivan
- Top passer
- J. Kitna
- Biggest EPA play
- 4-J.Hanson kicks onside 10 yards from DET 30 to DET 40. 83-A.Battle to DET 12 for 28 yards…
- Game date
- 2008-09-21
Game summary
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 31–13 on 2008-09-21. J. O'Sullivan posted a game-high +14.48 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Detroit Lions | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
 San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
DETDetroit Lions(2:21) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(13:00) 21-F.Gore right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(7:31) 4-J.Hanson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
(5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(1:48) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
(9:37) 20-A.Rossum left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(7:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 32-R.Johnson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 38.
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
(4:25) 6-J.Nedney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
SFSan Francisco 49ersFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 2:21TD IBI. BrucePoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 6
- Score
- 0-6
(2:21) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 2:16XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 0-7
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 13:00TD Frank Gore Jr.Points+6
- Yard line
- DET 4
- Score
- 0-13
(13:00) 21-F.Gore right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 12:52XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 0-14
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 7:31FG Points+3
- Yard line
- SF 26
- Score
- 3-14
(7:31) 4-J.Hanson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 5:57TD Devontez WalkerPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 24
- Score
- 3-20
(5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 5:48XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 3-21
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q3 1:48FG Points+3
- Yard line
- SF 33
- Score
- 6-21
(1:48) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 9:37TD ARA. RossumPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 1
- Score
- 6-27
(9:37) 20-A.Rossum left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 9:31XP JNJ. NedneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 6-28
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 7:11TD Roschon JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 34
- Score
- 12-28
(7:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 32-R.Johnson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 38.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 6:57XP Points+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 13-28
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 4:25FG JNJ. NedneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 7
- Score
- 13-31
(4:25) 6-J.Nedney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1J. O'Sullivan · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +14.48 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 2Roschon Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 3I. Bruce · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
- 4Devontez Walker · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
- 5
Cornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play - 6Roschon Johnson · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +3.23 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 7A. Rossum · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.89 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.89 EPA/play
- 8
Ryan Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
J. O'Sullivan — SF · Passing
J. O'Sullivan posted the highest total EPA (+14.48) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.
J. O'Sullivan's top snap (+2.89 EPA): (5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3.
Biggest single play (+3.95 EPA): Jake Hanson — 4-J.Hanson kicks onside 10 yards from DET 30 to DET 40. 83-A.Battle to DET 12 for 28 yards (26-D.Smith, 24-K.Pearson).
Quarterback report card
J. Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J. Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 37 dropbacks · 40.5% completion · -14.6% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -6.73 total EPA
- J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +5.8% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +14.48 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.005 | +0.191 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.5% | 52.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.205 | +0.452 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.185 | +0.023 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.191 | +0.005 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.1% | 57.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Detroit Lions: -0.01 EPA/play (47th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- San Francisco 49ers: +0.19 EPA/play (88th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- Detroit Lions: 10 drives, -0.39 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, +16.26 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- San Francisco 49ers — I. Bruce (J. O'Sullivan pass)
- San Francisco 49ers — Frank Gore Jr.
- San Francisco 49ers — Devontez Walker (J. O'Sullivan pass)
- San Francisco 49ers — A. Rossum
- Detroit Lions — Roschon Johnson (J. Kitna pass)
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — Jake Hanson
- Detroit Lions — Jake Hanson
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q1 2:21) — (2:21) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 2:16) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 13:00) — (13:00) 21-F.Gore right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 12:52) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 26 (Q2 7:31) — (7:31) 4-J.Hanson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 24 (Q2 5:57) — (5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 5:48) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the SF 33 (Q3 1:48) — (1:48) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) 20-A.Rossum left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 9:31) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the SF 34 (Q4 7:11) — (7:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 32-R.Johnson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 38.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 6:57) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DET 7 (Q4 4:25) — (4:25) 6-J.Nedney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 6:30) — (6:30) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna sacked at DET 2 for -12 yards (94-J.Smith). FUMBLES (94-J.Smith), recovered by DET-51-D.Raiola at DET 2. 51-D.Raiola to DET 2 for no gain (91-R.McDonald).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 2:21) — (2:21) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 8:03) — (8:03) 21-F.Gore left tackle to DET 41 for -1 yards (95-J.DeVries).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 9:34) — (9:34) (Shotgun) 14-J.O'Sullivan scrambles right tackle to DET 49 for 9 yards (50-E.Sims).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 3:52) — (3:52) 21-F.Gore left end to DET 6 for 33 yards (26-D.Smith).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 6:57) — 4-J.Hanson kicks onside 10 yards from DET 30 to DET 40. 83-A.Battle to DET 12 for 28 yards (26-D.Smith, 24-K.Pearson).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 7:11) — (7:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 32-R.Johnson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 38.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 7:36) — (7:36) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna scrambles up the middle to SF 34 for 10 yards (54-R.Green, 98-P.Haralson).
- Detroit Lions (Q3 9:28) — (9:28) 8-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 87-M.Furrey INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Brown at 50. 25-T.Brown ran ob at DET 49 for 1 yard. PENALTY on SF-98-P.Haralson, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at DE
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 2:21 · DET 6 · Score 0-6
(2:21) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 2:16 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 13:00 · DET 4 · Score 0-13
(13:00) 21-F.Gore right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 12:52 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 7:31 · SF 26 · Score 3-14
(7:31) 4-J.Hanson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 5:57 · DET 24 · Score 3-20
(5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 5:48 · DET 2 · Score 3-21
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 1:48 · SF 33 · Score 6-21
(1:48) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 9:37 · DET 1 · Score 6-27
(9:37) 20-A.Rossum left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 9:31 · DET 2 · Score 6-28
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 7:11 · SF 34 · Score 12-28
(7:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 32-R.Johnson for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 38. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 6:57 · SF 2 · Score 13-28
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 4:25 · DET 7 · Score 13-31
(4:25) 6-J.Nedney 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
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.
- J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- J. Kitna (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
- J. O'Sullivan (SF) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers on 2008-09-21?
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 31-13 in Week 3, 2008.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?
Q1: Detroit Lions 0, San Francisco 49ers 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, San Francisco 49ers 14; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, San Francisco 49ers 0; Q4: Detroit Lions 7, San Francisco 49ers 10; Final: Detroit Lions 13, San Francisco 49ers 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?
San Francisco 49ers touchdown — I. Bruce (J. O'Sullivan pass) (Q1 2:21) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Gore (Q2 13:00) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — D. Walker (J. O'Sullivan pass) (Q2 5:57) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — A. Rossum (Q4 9:37) Detroit Lions touchdown — R. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 7:11) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 7:31, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 1:48, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q4 4:25, 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?
J. Kitna (Detroit Lions), 40.5% completion, -14.6% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -6.73 total passing EPA. J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers), 50.0% completion, +5.8% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +14.48 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers?
J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.48 total EPA on Passing plays. across 32 snaps. Their top snap (+2.89 EPA): (5:57) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left to 46-D.Walker for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DET 3..
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
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