49ers Focus
By Robert Haugh

Though their 25-19 victory over the previously unbeaten Lions wasn’t pretty, the 49ers are heading into their BYE week with their heads high after winning another road game in Detroit on Sunday, October 16.

Keeping Jahvid Best at bay, the 49ers once again did not allow a 100-yard rusher, limiting Best to only 37 yards. The 49ers also controlled MegaTron Calvin Johnson’s output to 113 yards (and no TDs).

The 49ers’ stellar defense kept the 49ers in the game, despite the 49ers’ 15 penalties for nearly 150 yards. The defense amassed five sacks in the game.

With jitters running high early, the 49ers found themselves down 10-0 in the first quarter, but bounced back, fighting off a myriad of penalties, pulling out the come-from-behind win. After losing a fumble on a blitz on the first offensive play, QB Alex Smith hit his targets as necessary, connecting with Delanie Walker for the go-ahead TD on a fourth down and goal play with only minutes remaining. Though finishing 17-for-32 for 125 yards with a TD and INT, Smith was relatively efficient despite the stats.

The 49ers (5-1) have a firm grasp atop the NFC West, but need to iron out kinks, including the assortment of false start penalties, and an array of dropped passes, including one that could have been a TD. With ten games remaining, they only need to win half of those games to finish 10-6. Their remaining schedule sees a few tough tasks ahead, including a Thanksgiving Day matchup at the Baltimore Ravens, and a home game against the Steelers, however, the 49ers should cruise to at least a 10-6 record.