Maiocco's Instant Replay: 49ers 27, Lions 19

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO -- Alex Smith and Vernon Davis connected on a 21-yard touchdown to open the scoring, and hooked up for a 23-yard score late in the fourth to blow the game open, as the 49ers improved to 2-0 with a 27-19 win.

The offense cashed in a couple opportunities in the first half. Then, the 49ers turned the keys over to their defense and David Akers to navigate the rest of the way.It's a combination that worked so well for the 49ers in 2011. And the 49ers slogged their way to a 27-19 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night at Candlestick Park in large part because of a furious defense and Akers' accurate aim.The 49ers scored a pair of first-half touchdowns. And Akers made kicks of 36 and 48 yards in the second half as the 49ers held on for the victory to open the regular season with a 2-0 record.Finally, a turnover: Kendall Hunter fumbled away a kickoff in the first quarter to bring the 49ers' turnover-less streak to an end at 26 consecutive regular-season quarters.Including the playoffs, the 49ers still have not had a turnover since just before halftime of their Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens when Alex Smith's pass for Ted Ginn was picked off.The Lions managed only a field goal out of Hunter's fumble, as the team's defense stiffened after the miscue. The 49ers held the Lions to four Jason Hanson field goals, as he connected from 38, 41, 40 and 48 yards.Cashing in: The 49ers took advantage of two Lions miscues to score a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. First, quarterback Matthew Stafford badly overthrew his intended receiver and safety Dashon Goldson came up with a diving interception.Then, the 49ers would've been content to settle for a David Akers 35-yard field goal. But a running-into-the-kicker inspired coach Jim Harbaugh to take the points off the board. The 49ers eventually cashed in with a 1-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore.Striking fast: The 49ers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard after holding the Lions to a three-and-out on the opening drive.Mario Manningham gained 29 yards on an end-around. Alex Smith hit Michael Crabtree for 17 yards And Smith found Vernon Davis against the coverage of safety John Wendling for a 21-yard touchdown. Wendling started in place of injured Louis Delmas.Randy ratio: Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham have evolved into the 49ers' top two receivers. And the 49ers would bring in Kyle Williams when the 49ers went with three wideouts.That did not leave much playing time for 14-year veteran Randy Moss, who saw limited action Sunday against the Lions. Moss had one catch for 14 yards in the second quarter but would go complete possessions without getting on the field.He did induce a pass interference call in the end zone that directly led to Frank Gore's 1-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter run to give the 49ers a 14-6 lead.
Rookies sit: Receiver A.J. Jenkins, the 49ers' first-round draft pick, and running back LaMichael James, chosen in the second round, were both inactive. Both are healthy, but the 49ers coaching staff does not believe either is among the 49ers' top 46 players.Teams must dress only 46 of their 53 players. And when Brandon Jacobs (left knee) and Ted Ginn (right ankle) return from injuries, both Jenkins and James figure to be bumped another rung down the ladder.