The Lions scored 16 fourth-quarter points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 28-point deficit in a season-opening loss at Ford Field.
Detroit — The Detroit Lions didn’t win their season opener, but showed plenty of fight trying to execute an improbable rally in the closing minutes. Down 24 points with under two minutes remaining, the Lions scored a pair of touchdowns, converting two-point conversions after each, before forcing a turnover to give them a shot to tie Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field. Ultimately, quarterback Jared Goff’s final pass to no one in particular hit the turf, allowing the 49ers to escape with a 41-33 victory in coach Dan Campbell’s de. Things started reasonably well for the Lions, to the point where you could convince yourself they had a puncher’s chance against the heavily favored 49ers. But the illusion of competitiveness quickly gave way to preseason expectations. The 49ers scored 24 points in the second quarter, jumping out to a big lead at the half. The Lions didn’t do themselves any favors early in the contest, coming away with zero points despite ending each of their first two possession in 49ers’ territory. On the opening possession, the Lions turned it over after running back Jamaal Williams lost his footing and was stopped in the backfield on fourth down. And when the 49ers gave the ball right back, fumbling their first snap, kicker Austin Seibert’s 51-yard field goal attempt drifted just left of the mark. Gifted a short field after the miss, San Francisco’s offense got to work with back-to-back run plays netting 20 yards, followed by a 23-yard pass to star tight end George Kittle. BOX SCORE: 49ers 41, Lions 33 Facing third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, rookie quarterback Trey Lance entered the game and perfectly executed a play-action pass, connecting with wide receiver Trent Sherfield for the touchdown. The Lions would respond, knotting the it at seven with a 13-play scoring drive. Williams kickstarted the series with a 20-yard run, and the Lions converted after going for it on fourth down in 49ers territory a second time when quarterback Jared Goff found Tyrell Williams for a 6-yard gain on a pick play.
