49ers vs Lions Week 1 2021: Final Score 41

Final2021 Week 1

Ford Field, Detroit, MISun, Sep 12, 2021, 1:00 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions, Week 1 2021

San Francisco 49ers

AwayWon

Detroit Lions

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Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
49ers	7	24	7	3	41
Lions	0	10	7	16	33

SF 41DET 33 Final

Passing leader
Jared Goff
DET · QB
29.9PPR pts
38/57, 338 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top fantasy scorer
Deebo Samuel Sr.
SF · WR
31.9PPR pts
9 REC, 189 YDS, 1 TD
Lions leader
T.J. Hockenson
DET · TE
25.7PPR pts
8 REC, 97 YDS, 1 TD
Defensive playmaker
Dre Greenlaw
SF
1 INT, 1 TD, 6 TKL

49ers 41, Lions 33: San Francisco beats Detroit

The Lions went 4-for-15 on third down and committed one turnover.

Key advantages

+2.9 yards/play SF 8.0 · DET 5.1
+12 total yards SF 442 · DET 430
+6% third-down rate SF 33% · DET 27%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the 49ers Won

San Francisco won the efficiency and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, 49ers vs Lions
49ers	Stat	Lions
8.0	Yards per play	5.1

442	Total yards	430

33%	Third-down conversion	27%

Other team stats
55	Plays	84

2	Turnovers	1

26:33	Time of possession	33:27

Scoring Summary

The 49ers scored five touchdowns and two field goals; the Lions scored four touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, 49ers vs Lions
Time	Team	Play	SF	DET
1st quarter
5:41	SF	Trey Lance → Trent Sherfield, 5-yard TD Takes leadRobbie Gould XP	7	0
2nd quarter
13:29	DET	Jared Goff → T.J. Hockenson, 6-yard TD Ties gameAustin Seibert XP	7	7
11:12	SF	Elijah Mitchell 38-yard TD run Takes leadRobbie Gould XP	14	7
6:13	DET	Austin Seibert 49-yard FG	14	10
2:25	SF	JaMycal Hasty 3-yard TD run Extends leadRobbie Gould XP	21	10
1:10	SF	Dre Greenlaw 39-yard interception return TD Extends leadRobbie Gould XP	28	10
0:03	SF	Robbie Gould 40-yard FG Extends lead	31	10
3rd quarter
7:54	SF	Jimmy Garoppolo → Deebo Samuel, 79-yard TD Extends leadRobbie Gould XP	38	10
4:23	DET	Jared Goff → D'Andre Swift, 43-yard TDAustin Seibert XP	38	17
4th quarter
9:53	SF	Robbie Gould 52-yard FG Extends lead	41	17
1:53	DET	Jamaal Williams 1-yard TD runJared Goff → T.J. Hockenson, 2-pt conversion	41	25
1:07	DET	Jared Goff → Quintez Cephus, 2-yard TDJared Goff → Quintez Cephus, 2-pt conversion	41	33

Fantasy Points: 49ers vs Lions, Week 1 2021

Fantasy leaders

Deebo SamuelSFWR30.9 PTSWR3
Jared GoffDETQB29.9 PTSQB3
T.J. HockensonDETTE25.7 PTSTE3
Jamaal WilliamsDETRB25.0 PTSRB3

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rate	Start/Sit
Jared GoffDETQB	29.9	QB3	38/57	338	3	1	3	14	92.6	Start/Sit →
Jimmy GaroppoloSFQB	13.8	QB24	17/25	314	1	0	3	2	124.2
Trey LanceSFQB	4.4	QB33	1/1	5	1	0	3	2	127.1	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
Deebo SamuelSFWR	30.9	WR3	WR	—	—	—	12	9	189	1
T.J. HockensonDETTE	25.7	TE3	TE	—	—	—	11	8	97	1	Start/Sit →
Jamaal WilliamsDETRB	25.0	RB3	RB	9	54	1	9	8	56	0
D'Andre SwiftDETRB	24.4	RB4	RB	11	39	0	11	8	65	1	Start/Sit →
Elijah MitchellSFRB	16.4	RB15	RB	19	104	1	—	—	—	—
Quintez CephusDETWR	12.2	WR47	WR	—	—	—	6	3	12	1
George KittleSFTE	11.8	TE10	TE	—	—	—	5	4	78	0	Start/Sit →
Trent SherfieldSFWR	10.3	WR56	WR	—	—	—	3	2	23	1
Kalif RaymondDETWR	8.9	WR66	WR	1	9	0	4	3	50	0	Start/Sit →
JaMycal HastySFRB	8.8	RB35	RB	1	3	1	1	1	15	0
Trinity BensonDETWR	4.9	WR85	WR	—	—	—	6	3	19	0
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	4.3	WR91	WR	—	—	—	4	2	23	0	Start/Sit →
Tyrell WilliamsDETWR	3.4	WR95	WR	—	—	—	3	2	14	0
Raheem MostertSFRB	2.0	RB61	RB	2	20	0	—	—	—	—
Mohamed SanuSFWR	1.7	WR110	WR	—	—	—	1	1	7	0
Darren FellsDETTE	1.2	TE49	TE	—	—	—	1	1	2	0

Fantasy Usage

San Francisco 49ers

Snap Share

George KittleTE52 snaps95%
Deebo SamuelWR46 snaps84%
Elijah MitchellRB35 snaps64%
Trent SherfieldWR27 snaps49%
Brandon AiyukWR26 snaps47%

Target Share22 targets

Deebo Samuel55%, 12 targets
George Kittle23%, 5 targets
Trent Sherfield14%, 3 targets
Mohamed Sanu5%, 1 targets
JaMycal Hasty5%, 1 targets

Carry Share28 carries

Elijah Mitchell68%, 19 carries
Jimmy Garoppolo11%, 3 carries
Trey Lance11%, 3 carries
Raheem Mostert7%, 2 carries
JaMycal Hasty4%, 1 carries

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

T.J. HockensonTE78 snaps85%
Kalif RaymondWR69 snaps75%
D'Andre SwiftRB63 snaps68%
Amon-Ra St. BrownWR59 snaps64%
Trinity BensonWR49 snaps53%

Target Share55 targets

T.J. Hockenson20%, 11 targets
D'Andre Swift20%, 11 targets
Jamaal Williams16%, 9 targets
Trinity Benson11%, 6 targets
Quintez Cephus11%, 6 targets
Other22%, 12 targets

Carry Share24 carries

D'Andre Swift46%, 11 carries
Jamaal Williams38%, 9 carries
Jared Goff13%, 3 carries
Kalif Raymond4%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
George KittleSFTE	52	95%	5	23%	0
T.J. HockensonDETTE	78	85%	11	20%	0
Deebo SamuelSFWR	46	84%	12	55%	0
Kalif RaymondDETWR	69	75%	4	7%	1
D'Andre SwiftDETRB	63	68%	11	20%	11
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR	59	64%	4	7%	0
Elijah MitchellSFRB	35	64%	0	0%	19
Trinity BensonDETWR	49	53%	6	11%	0
Trent SherfieldSFWR	27	49%	3	14%	0
Brandon AiyukSFWR	26	47%	0	0%	0
Tyrell WilliamsDETWR	39	42%	3	5%	0
Mohamed SanuSFWR	20	36%	1	5%	0
Jamaal WilliamsDETRB	32	35%	9	16%	9
Quintez CephusDETWR	32	35%	6	11%	0
Darren FellsDETTE	27	29%	1	2%	0
JaMycal HastySFRB	16	29%	1	5%	1
Ross DwelleySFTE	14	25%	0	0%	0
Charlie WoernerSFTE	9	16%	0	0%	0
Jauan JenningsSFWR	6	11%	0	0%	0
Raheem MostertSFRB	4	7%	0	0%	2

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+11.7Deebo Samuel Sr.31.9 PTS vs 20.2 xFP
Biggest underperformer−5.2Trinity Benson4.9 PTS vs 10.1 xFP
Highest expected volume27.0 xFPJared Goff29.9 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Jared GoffDET · QB	29.9	27.0	+2.9	100%	57 att	—	57	3	13%	0	0%
D'Andre SwiftDET · RB	24.4	25.6	−1.2	68%	46% car	—	0	11	46%	11	20%
Jamaal WilliamsDET · RB	25.0	20.9	+4.1	35%	38% car	—	0	9	38%	9	16%
Deebo Samuel Sr.SF · WR	31.9	20.2	+11.7	84%	52% tgt	—	0	0	0%	12	52%
T.J. HockensonDET · TE	25.7	18.5	+7.2	85%	20% tgt	—	0	0	0%	11	20%
Jimmy GaroppoloSF · QB	14.8	12.9	+1.9	93%	25 att	—	25	3	11%	0	0%
Elijah MitchellSF · RB	16.4	12.2	+4.2	64%	68% car	—	0	19	68%	0	0%
Quintez CephusDET · WR	12.2	10.1	+2.1	35%	11% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	11%
Trinity BensonDET · WR	4.9	10.1	−5.2	53%	11% tgt	—	0	0	0%	6	11%
George KittleSF · TE	11.8	8.4	+3.4	95%	22% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	22%
Kalif RaymondDET · WR	8.9	7.4	+1.5	75%	7% tgt	—	0	1	4%	4	7%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR	4.3	6.7	−2.4	64%	7% tgt	—	0	0	0%	4	7%
Trent SherfieldSF · WR	10.3	5.1	+5.2	49%	13% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	13%
Tyrell WilliamsDET · WR	3.4	5.1	−1.7	42%	5% tgt	—	0	0	0%	3	5%
Trey LanceSF · QB	4.4	2.4	+2.0	7%	1 att	—	1	3	11%	0	0%
JaMycal HastySF · RB	8.8	2.3	+6.5	29%	4% tgt	—	0	1	4%	1	4%
Darren FellsDET · TE	1.2	1.7	−0.5	29%	2% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	2%
Jason CabindaDET · RB	0.0	1.7	−1.7	—	2% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	2%
Kyle JuszczykSF · RB	1.7	1.7	0.0	—	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Mohamed SanuSF · WR	1.7	1.7	0.0	36%	4% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	4%
Raheem MostertSF · RB	2.0	1.3	+0.7	7%	7% car	—	0	2	7%	0	0%

Team totals: 49ers 23 targets and 28 carries; Lions 56 targets and 24 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Jimmy Garoppolo

SF · QB · 14.8 pts on 12.9 expected

17 of 25 passing for 314 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 carries for 2 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.9 expected.

Jared Goff

DET · QB · 29.9 pts on 27.0 expected

38 of 57 passing for 338 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 14 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 27.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Jared Goff →

Deebo Samuel Sr. Ran hot

SF · WR · 31.9 pts on 20.2 expected

12 targets (52% of the team's), 9 catches for 189 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Elijah Mitchell Strong role

SF · RB · 16.4 pts on 12.2 expected

19 carries (68% of the team's) for 104 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.2 expected.

D'Andre Swift

DET · RB · 24.4 pts on 25.6 expected

11 targets (20% of the team's), 8 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown; 11 carries (46% of the team's) for 39 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 25.6 expected.

Start/Sit: D'Andre Swift →

Jamaal Williams

DET · RB · 25.0 pts on 20.9 expected

9 targets (16% of the team's), 8 catches for 56 yards; 9 carries (38% of the team's) for 54 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.9 expected.

T.J. Hockenson Ran hot

DET · TE · 25.7 pts on 18.5 expected

11 targets (20% of the team's), 8 catches for 97 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 18.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: T.J. Hockenson →

Trinity Benson Unlucky

DET · WR · 4.9 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (11% of the team's), 3 catches for 19 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 49ers defense and Lions defense
Points allowed to	49ers D	Lions D
QBs	17.7	18.2
RBs	20.9	26.6
WRs	35.4	34.4
TEs	9.1	14.1

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Detroit opened at 24% win probability and fell below 2% before halftime.

Lions win probability

Key Swings

−15Lance → Sherfield, 5-yd TD26% → 11%Q1 5:41
+16Goff → Hockenson, 6-yd TD11% → 27%Q2 13:29
−17Mitchell 38-yd TD run28% → 11%Q2 11:12
+6Seibert 49-yd FG11% → 18%Q2 6:13
−13Hasty 3-yd TD run18% → 5%Q2 2:25

Swing in Lions win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, 49ers vs Lions
San Francisco 49ers	Measure	Detroit Lions
55	Plays	84
49%	Pass rate	71%
11.5	Yds / dropback	5.2
4.7	Yds / carry	4.8
3/9	Third downs	4/15

Efficiency edge San Francisco ran 29 fewer plays but gained 6.3 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
SF Samuel 52% · Kittle 22% · Sherfield 13%
DET Swift 20% · Hockenson 20% · Williams 16%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, 49ers vs Lions
Result	SF	DET
Touchdowns	4	4
Field goals	2	1
Punts	2	3
Turnovers	2	1
Turnovers on downs	0	3
Missed field goals	1	1

DET turnover edge: +1

The 49ers opened the scoring on their second possession, a 7-play, 59-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
The 49ers scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.

All 26 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
DET	Q1 15:00	6	39	2:59	Downs
SF	Q1 12:01	1	0	0:05	Fumble
DET	Q1 11:56	6	5	2:20	Missed FG
SF	Q1 9:36	7	59	3:55	Touchdown
DET	Q1 5:41	13	82	7:12	Touchdown
SF	Q2 13:29	4	78	2:17	Touchdown
DET	Q2 11:12	9	44	4:59	Field goal
SF	Q2 6:13	7	75	3:48	Touchdown
DET	Q2 2:25	4	12	1:15	Interception
DET	Q2 1:10	3	-3	0:25	Punt
SF	Q2 0:45	7	50	0:42	Field goal
DET	Q2 0:03	0	0	0:03	End of half
SF	Q3 15:00	8	47	3:40	Missed FG
DET	Q3 11:20	4	11	1:04	Punt
SF	Q3 10:16	5	91	2:22	Touchdown
DET	Q3 7:54	7	75	3:31	Touchdown
SF	Q3 4:23	5	25	3:49	Punt
DET	Q3 0:34	3	-5	1:56	Punt
SF	Q4 13:38	7	19	3:45	Field goal
DET	Q4 9:53	5	28	2:25	Downs
SF	Q4 7:28	3	6	1:43	Punt
DET	Q4 5:45	12	86	3:52	Touchdown
DET	Q4 1:53	6	59	0:46	Touchdown
SF	Q4 1:07	3	8	0:15	Fumble
DET	Q4 0:52	8	46	0:40	Downs
SF	Q4 0:12	1	-1	0:12	End of game

About these numbers

The 49ers' interception touchdown is counted as a Lions interception, not as a 49ers possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

49ers vs Lions Head-to-Head

The 49ers and Lions first met in 1950 and have played 70 times since.

All-time series: 40–29–149ers lead, 70 meetings since 1950
Postseason: 2–149ers won in 1983 and 2023; Lions won in 1957
Largest 49ers win: 49–01961
Largest Lions win: 45–31967

Since 2021

2–1 49ers lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. 4 = 49ers win, L = Lions win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2024 Wk 17 Lions at 49ers, 2024 Wk 17 recap Mon, Dec 30, 2024 DET 40 SF 34 DET W
2023 Conference Championship Lions at 49ers, 2023 Conference Championship recap Sun, Jan 28, 2024 SF 34 DET 31 SF W
2021 Wk 1 49ers at Lions Sun, Sep 12, 2021 SF 41 DET 33 SF W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, 49ers vs Lions
49ers	Stat	Lions
10-7	Record	3-13-1

25.1	Points per game	19.1

375.7	Yards per game	322.6

6.1	Yards per play	5.2

21.5	Points allowed per game	27.5

310.0	Yards allowed per game	379.8

49ers vs Lions Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread: SF −9.549ers failed to cover by 1.5
Total: 46Over: 74 points scored (by 28)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
Team	Implied	Actual	Difference
49ers	27.8	41	+13.3
Lions	18.3	33	+14.8

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

San Francisco 49ers

Against the spread: 0–1
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as favorite: 0–1
ATS on the road: 0–1

Detroit Lions

Against the spread: 1–0
Over/under: 1–0
ATS as underdog: 1–0
ATS at home: 1–0

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

49ers and Lions in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a 49er or a Lion, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

49ers vs Lions Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 49ers vs Lions Week 1 game?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 41–33 in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI, on September 12, 2021. See the 49ers' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of 49ers vs Lions?

The final score was 49ers 41, Lions 33. The 49ers led 31–10 at halftime, and the second half went 49ers 10, Lions 23.

What happened in the 49ers vs Lions game?

San Francisco led 31–10 at halftime after a 24-point second quarter and won 41–33, though Detroit took the second half 23–10. The 49ers finished with a narrow 442–430 edge in total offense and averaged 8.0 yards per play. Deebo Samuel led all players with 9 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers committed 2 turnovers, the Lions 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in 49ers vs Lions?

Deebo Samuel led the game with 30.9 PPR fantasy points, the WR3 of Week 1, on 9 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown. Jared Goff was next with 29.9 (QB3). See Deebo Samuel's 2021 game log.

Who led 49ers vs Lions in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jared Goff (DET) led all passers with 38 of 57 for 338 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. Elijah Mitchell (SF) led in rushing with 19 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. Deebo Samuel (SF) led in receiving with 9 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Deebo Samuel score against the Lions?

Deebo Samuel scored 30.9 points in PPR leagues, 26.4 in half-PPR and 21.9 in standard scoring against the Lions in Week 1 of the 2021 season, on 9 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in 49ers vs Lions?

Deebo Samuel Sr. outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 31.9 PPR points on 20.2 xFP (+11.7). Trinity Benson fell furthest short, with 4.9 points on 10.1 xFP (−5.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the 49ers beat the Lions?

The 49ers beat the Lions 41–33 because they averaged 8.0 yards per play to 5.1 and outgained them 442–430.

Which team won the turnover battle in 49ers vs Lions?

The Lions won the turnover battle 2–1: the 49ers gave the ball away 2 times and the Lions 1 time. The 49ers won the game anyway.

What is the all-time 49ers vs Lions record?

The 49ers lead the all-time series 40–29–1 across 70 meetings since 1950, including a 2–1 record in the postseason.

When did the 49ers and Lions last play before this game?

Before Week 1 of 2021, they last met in the 2018 season on September 16, 2018, when the 49ers beat the Lions 30–27.

Have the 49ers and Lions met in the playoffs?

Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2023 playoffs. The 49ers are 2–1 against the Lions in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for 49ers vs Lions?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was 49ers −9.5, making the San Francisco 49ers 9.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 46. That implied about 27.8 points for the 49ers and 18.3 for the Lions.

Did 49ers vs Lions go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 46, and the teams combined for 74 points, 28 over the number.

Who covered the spread in 49ers vs Lions?

The Lions covered as 9.5-point underdogs against the closing line of 49ers −9.5. The final margin was 8 points.