Coming into the season nobody expected the 49ers and Lions to be a combined 9-1 heading into week 6 given their recent struggles over the past few years. And with both team's off to a hot start it would be their Sunday match up that made FOX's Game of the Week. Living up to the hype, the bout would feature two of the leagues best defenses as well as two former number one overall draft picks in quarterbacks Alex Smith and Matt Stafford. Though the QB's would have their share it would be the defenses that highlighted the games early going.
After forcing a three and out on Detroit's opening-drive, MLB Kyle Vanden Bosch would make sure the Lions offense would have a short rest on the sidelines as he got to Alex Smith on San Francisco's first play from scrimmage, stripping and recovering the fumble. Already in scoring position, the Lions offense would find little yards, but wouldn't be left empty-handed as a Jason Hanson field goal gave them an early 3-0 advantage. On their next drive Detroit would find the end-zone as Stafford connected with his tight-end Brandon Pettigrew for a touchdown.
As the first quarter came to an end it was almost as if the 49ers had pushed a button to turn on their offense. Coming off of back-to-back stellar games Frank Gore would continue right where he left off, breaking free to get the 49ers in enemy territory. Soon after he would get the Niners on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run to go along with his 141 rushing yards on the day. The rest of the scoring in the first half would come from San Francisco who cut the deficit to only a point when Ray McDonald sacked Stafford in the end-zone to make it a 10-9 ball game. And just before the conclusion of the first half with seconds to spare, kicker David Akers split the uprights from 55-yards out to give the 49ers the lead heading into the half, 12-10.
Just as good as it was in the first half, the 49ers red-zone D would come thru big yet again forcing Detroit to kick a field goal. However, San Francisco would get those points right back with a field goal of their own. Finally the 49ers would see their quarterback do something he's done so few times this season -- throw an interception when he overthrew Michael Crabtree. Capitalizing on the turnover Stafford would find WR Nate Burlesson 5-yards out into the end-zone to put his team on top, 19-15.
In need of some help on offense in order to take the lead with time dwindling down, the 49ers were given great field position thanks to Ted Ginn's good punt-returning running the ball back 40 yards to set Alex Smith and co. up nicely. Down by four with under two minutes left, the 49ers would be forced to try their luck with a touchdown. And on 4th and Goal from 6 yards out Smith found tight-end Delanie Walker on a slant route who barely made it across the goal-line before his knee touched the ground giving San Francisco a 22-19 lead. Stafford would be given a chance to lead his team down field though for a potential game-winning drive, but failed to convert a first down and eventually turning the ball over. The 49ers would add another three points on a late field goal by Akers, giving them a 25-19 lead that they'd hang on to as time expired.
The headline, however, would be about what transpired after the 25-19 downing of the Lions. As both coaches began to meet up at midfield for the honorary handshake, coach Harbaugh appeared a bit more fired up than many, chest-bumping and high-fiving his players. But when it came time to exchange pleasantries Harbaugh appeared to have given coach Schwartz a little slap on the back to go along with what Schwartz described as an expletive. Schwartz didn't take too kindly of it and chased Harbaugh from behind and gave him a little bump. The two then got into each others faces and exchanged words before needing to be separated by players, ushers and coaching personnel. The mob of players and coaches would make its way all the way to the tunnel area before officials stepped in.
Following the incident both coaches addressed the fracas with coach Harbaugh saying he took full responsibility for his actions and roll in the scuffle, but said he wouldn't apologize. Many thought the incident would lead to disciplinary actions by the league office, but after looking into it no fines were handed down to either side.
Personally I enjoyed the publicity the Harbaugh-Schwartz incident generated and brought upon the team, but it got to the point where it began to overshadow the 5-1 start. Following the hard nosed match that resulted in a win, the 49ers head into the BYE week in week 7 in which they'll prepare to host the Cleveland Browns the week after.
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