SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ Well, the 49ers won't have to wait until Week 10 to notch their first win this season. After starting 0-9 last season and losing their opener a week ago, the 49ers escaped Sunday's home debut with a 30-27 win over the Detroit Lions.
A defensive holding penalty against the Lions saved the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo from a costly interception _ and an embarrassing collapse _ in the final minutes.
Garoppolo, who threw three interceptions and a pick-six in last week's season-opening loss at Minnesota, stared down Matt Breida on his far left when Tracy Walker cut in front for a would-be interception with 2:14 remaining. Garoppolo chased Walker down at the 49ers 6, and then officials really came to the rescue by calling a holding penalty against Quandre Diggs against George Kittle away from the pass.
While Garoppolo got away that time with his penchant to throw risky passes toward the sideline, his habit of staying in the pocket resulted in a career-high six sacks, the final of which forced the 49ers to punt with just over a minute remaining.
Matthew Stafford (34-of-53, 347 yards, three touchdowns) had his final three passes fall incomplete to clinch the Lions' 0-2 start to the season.
On Jimmy Garoppolo Bobblehead Day, the 49ers quarterback did make enough positive plays, including touchdown passes to Kendrick Bourne and Garrett Celek for the 49ers, who seemed in control after Matt Breida's 66-yard touchdown run put them ahead 27-13 late in the third quarter.
Garoppolo was 18-of-26 for 206 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 118.4 passer rating. He is 8-1 all-time as a starter.
Next up for the 49ers is a visit to the upstart Kansas City Chiefs, who take a 2-0 record into their home opener after Patrick Mahomes threw six touchdown passes in Sunday's 42-37 win at Pittsburgh.
The 49ers, who never led in their 24-16 season-opening loss at Minnesota, were up 13-10 entering halftime despite four sacks on Garoppolo.
The 49ers used a hurry-up offense early on to keep the Lions off balance, and they saw Breida use his blazing fast speed to underscore that up-tempo approach.
