The 49ers, one week after being eliminated from the playoffs, started slowly versus the Lions.

During the second half they got it together and moved another step closer to the only large goal they have remaining- avoid their seventh losing season in a row.

Frank Gore scored a touchdown on a one yard run and went over 1,000 yards rushing for the fourth season in a row. The 49ers capitalized on six Lion turnovers to defeat Detroit on Sunday 20-6.

Alex Smith connected with Vernon Davis on a touchdown pass, as the 49ers (7-8) scored both of their touchdowns during the third quarter. San Fransisco closed their home season out with a win and needs a victory next week in St. Louis to finish the season with a .500 record.

Smith said, it’s for our pride. Right now that’s what we are playing for. Since I have been with the team we haven’t had a better finish than 7-9. It is something that we all are playing for right now.

In the first start of his career for Detroit (2-13), Drew Stanton struggled. He passed for only 130 yards and threw three interceptions before Daunte Culpepper replaced him mid fourth quarter.

It was the fifth loss in a row for Detroit, who failed to score any touchdowns, and 20th straight loss on the road.

Jim Schwartz, Detroit coach said, last week we talked about how a quarterback’s true measure is his ability to lead the team and score points. Today we didn’t do that. We didn’t move the ball, we didn’t get our third down conversions, we didn’t score any touchdowns, and we had too many turnovers. How well Drew performed doesn’t matter. Our offense didn’t do its job. That is ultimately the quarterback’s responsibility.

Last week Culpepper was replaced with Stanton in Detroit’s search to find a quarterback with Matthew Stafford, rookie starter out for the remainder of the season due to an injured shoulder. Schwartz didn’t say who would be his starting quarterback next week versus Chicago.

Until the third quarter when they scored two touchdowns to pull away, the 49ers didn’t do much better. Their first touchdown came on third down and goal at the 2 yard line. Smith rolled out and flipped a pass over to David right before he cross over their line of scrimmage.

It would have been an easy play for Smith to run the ball in himself, but instead he opted to get the football over to Davis who scored on his 12th touchdown reception this season, one touchdown short of the record held by Antonio Gates for tight ends.

On fourth down and one during their next drive, Smith connected with Gore, who was wide open. Gore ran the ball for a 48 yard gain down to the 6 yard line. He dove in from the one yard line two plays later to make the score 20-3.

Mike Singletary, 49ers head coach, thought that their slow start may have been due to the fact that it was a holiday week or because San Fransisco had been eliminated from the playoffs. He was happy with how the team finished the game.

Singletary said, bottom line we came out for the second half, picked things up and got things going. We started to create some things and execute.

Gore rushed for 71 yards in 28 carries. For the season he has a total of 1,013 yards rushing. He is the first 49ers player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season four times.

Gore said, it does mean a lot to me. This season was very up and down. I had to miss a few games. That was tough. It has been a tough year. This is a blessing. I give it all over to my offensive line. They did a really great job.

Smith was 20 out of 31 for a total of 230 yards passing and had his 17th touchdown pass for the season, his career high, as he attempts to solidify his status as the team’s starting quarterback for next season.

During their first drive, Detroit was able to move the ball. Their 15 play, 76 yard drive resulted in a field goal of 27 yards by Jason Hanson. For the remainder of the first half, the Lions only got three additional first downs. They had one interception and two fumbles, giving the 49ers good field position during most of the half.

Calvin Johnson, Lions receiver said, it was his first start. What we need to do is build some chemistry with him. It’s tough when a young quarterback goes out for his first time. There were plays that lots of players just left out on the field. We can’t do that. During the first half we hung in there, but the second half was like that same old story. For a little bit we just stalled and then couldn’t get things going.

Detroit didn’t get any more points until late fourth quarter when Hanson booted another field goal, long after the game had been decided and Culpepper had come into the game.

San Francisco wasn’t able to capitalized off of any of Detroit’s errors, even though they received the ball near midfield each time. On fourth down and one Gore was stuffed after Stanton had fumbled. San Francisco also was forced to punt following a fumble by Johnson. During the closing seconds first half a field goal attempt of 28 yards by Ricky Schmitt was blocked by Grady Jackson.

This week Schmitt was singed to replace Joe Nedney, who is injured. He made two field goals to give the 49ers the lead at 6-3 earlier first half.