As for the defense, not so much.
That drive took less than four minutes off the clock and only six plays for the offense to find the end zone. Detroit’s next drive didn’t last five minutes. The Lions had gains of 6, 6, 7, 15, and 6 before Nick Bosa was banged up. Bosa would be evaluated for a concussion but would return on the next drive. On 3rd & 12, Ben Johnson dialed up a hook and ladder, and Jameson Williams outran the 49ers 41 yards to paydirt.
The scoring did not stop there. Ricky Pearsall was the beneficiary of a 40-yard coverage bust on a nifty design by Kyle Shanahan. Purdy, after pump-faking, ran into the end zone untouched to give San Francisco an 8-point lead, 21-13.
The Lions were the first team not to score despite a 12-play drive that took five minutes off the clock. Detroit went for it on 4th & 3, but rookie Renardo Green read the play and broke up the pass.
That meant the 49ers would have another opportunity, with 1:13 to play. Guerendo caught a 40-yard pass down the field. Kittle had a big play called back, thanks to Jacob Cowing’s unnecessary penalty. A 51-yard field goal by Jake Moody was wide right as his woes continued. That brought us to halftime, with the score 21-13.
Had Moody made the field goal, it would have been the most points the Lions had allowed in the first half all season.