SAN FRANCISCO ? Running back Frank Gore picked up another franchise milestone. And 49ers tight end Vernon Davis got within striking range Sunday of an NFL record.
But it was the 49ers? defense that again dominated the proceedings Sunday at Candlestick Park in a 20-6 victory over the hapless Detroit Lions.
The 49ers forced six turnovers ? giving them 20 takeaways in the past four home games ? to provide the offense with every chance to pile up a convincing victory.
Instead, the offense played just well enough to win.
?I actually didn?t think it was a slow start, except for the scoreboard,? 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said. ?I actually thought we were doing some good things, moving the ball. It seemed like every time we got into the red zone, we kicked the two field goals.
?I didn?t feel like we were inept or anything. I just felt like we were just struggling to finish those drives.?
The 49ers, eliminated from NFC playoff contention a week ago with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, looked sluggish in the first half against the Lions.
Despite starting four drives near midfield in the second quarter, the 49ers managed just two knuckleball field goals from new kicker Ricky Schmitt, who was signed to replace injured Joe Nedney.
The 49ers finally got into the end zone twice in the third quarter to give them all the cushion they would need against the Lions, who have lost 36 of their past 39 games - including 20 consecutive on the road.
With a victory next week at St. Louis against the Rams, the 49ers would finish 8-8, their best record since they won the NFC West in 2002 with a 10-6 record.
?That would be great,? Gore said. ?Since I?ve been here, the best record I had was 7-9. Even though I feel we had a great chance to get to the playoffs, it didn't happen. We?re taking a step forward if we get the win next week."
Gore took another step to establishing his place in 49ers history with 71 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Gore now has 1,013 yards and a career-high eight rushing touchdowns. He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in four consecutive seasons. No other player in 49ers history gained 1,000 yards for more than two years in a row.
?It means a lot,? Gore said. ?It was an up-and-down season. I missed a couple of games. It was tough. It was a tough year. I?ve got to give it all to my O-line. They did a great job. My receivers downfield blocked well. I just stayed positive and kept fighting.?
Davis added a touchdown of his own to get within striking range of the NFL single-season record for scoring receptions from a tight end. Davis? 2-yard catch from Smith in the third quarter was his 12th receiving touchdown of the season. Antonio Gates holds the record with 13 touchdown catches for the San Diego Chargers in 2004.
Davis? touchdown play began with Smith executing a fake handoff and bootleg to the right side. When Smith began to sprint to the right corner, it appeared he had an easy path to the end zone. However, Smith slowed up, which allowed the Detroit defense to converge on him at the sideline.
As he neared the line of scrimmage, Smith pushed the pass to Davis, who was all alone. The play stood up to a Detroit replay challenge. But, now, it will likely be held under the Mike Singletary microscope.
?I need to get both of them in a room and lock the door and find out if Vernon had talked to him (Smith) and told him he needed another touchdown or something like that,? Singletary said. ?Because Alex came to the sideline and I was scratching my head and he knew what I was going to say and he just said, ?Coach, be nice. Be nice.?
?Next time, just dive in or something. Just run. I want to know what the heck was he thinking because if you got it, take it.?
Davis said he was the primary target on the play, so he figured the pass would be coming to him all along.
?I was thinking (Smith) was going throw it to me and he did. Thank you, Alex, I appreciate it. ... He is a very unselfish person. He cares about others. He?s always there when you need him and he?s a great guy to have around and a great quarterback to keep building with.?
Smith said he wasn?t sure whether Lions linebacker Julian Peterson was in coverage or would cut off his path to the pylon. Smith said he learned a lesson from a game his second year in the league against Seattle.
?I went rolling out on a very similar play. I dove and scored a touchdown on the pylon, but I think (tight end Eric Johnson) was wide open in the end zone waving his arms around,? Smith said. ?But I saw the pylon and just went for it. I remember watching film the next day and getting told touchdown passes are a little more valuable.?
Smith completed 20 of 31 passes for 230 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Gore?s fumble was the 49ers only turnover. The Lions were not nearly as efficient, as Patrick Willis, Dashon Goldson and Dre? Bly intercepted Drew Stanton, making his first NFL start. The 49ers? defense also came up with three fumble recoveries.
For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com
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