Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Chris Johnson ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns and the Tennessee Titans beat the 49ers 34-27 at Candlestick Park. Vince Young threw for 172 yards in his first start of the year. Alex Smith threw for 286 and two touchdowns to Vernon Davis but added three interceptions. Davis caught 10 for 102. Frank Gore ran for 83 and a touchdown. The Titans scored 17 fourth-quarter points to come back. The 49ers fell to 3-5.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Chris Johnson ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. The Tennessee Titans, the 1-6 team coming into the game, scored 17 fourth-quarter points and beat the 49ers 34-27 in the kind of home loss that put the season's standing-up-to-contenders question into a standing-up-to-pretenders question.
Alex Smith threw three interceptions in his second start. Vernon Davis caught 10 passes for 102 and two touchdowns. Frank Gore ran for 83 and a touchdown. Michael Crabtree 3 catches for 50. The defense surrendered 135 to Chris Johnson and gave up the late comeback.
3-5. The kind of home loss that, against a 1-6 team, exposes the season's competitive arc as fundamentally about turnover differential and fourth-quarter defense. Singletary postgame named Smith the starter going forward but acknowledged the three picks. The Chicago Bears come to Candlestick on Thursday Night Football in three days. The kind of short-week home spot where the 49ers desperately need a win to stay even at .500.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Titans 34, 49ers 27. Margin: -7. Eight-game record: 3-5, +0 differential.
* Vince Young: 12-of-19 for 172, 0 TD, 0 INTs (1st start of year).
* Chris Johnson: 25 carries for 135, 2 TDs.
* Alex Smith: 29-of-45 for 286, 2 TDs (Davis x2), 3 INTs, 69.3 rating.
* Vernon Davis: 10 catches for 102, 2 TDs.
* Frank Gore: 15 carries for 83, 1 TD.
* TEN: 17 4Q points (comeback).
* 49ers 3-5; Titans 2-6.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 34-27 home loss to the Tennessee Titans at Candlestick. The 49ers fall to 3-5.
How it unfolded
The 49ers scored first on a Joe Nedney field goal. Tennessee answered with a Bironas field goal. The second quarter was a Frank Gore short touchdown run, then a Vernon Davis touchdown reception to make it 17-3, then a Tennessee touchdown drive to make it 17-10 at halftime. The third quarter went field goal, Chris Johnson touchdown to make it 20-17 Tennessee. The fourth quarter was where the game came apart. Davis caught his second touchdown to make it 27-20. Chris Johnson scored again to make it 27-27. Vince Young then drove the Titans for the go-ahead touchdown to make it 34-27.
The turning point
Chris Johnson's second touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 27. With the 49ers up 27-20 and the defense one stop away from the win, Johnson's score eroded the lead and gave Young the opportunity for the late winning drive.
By the numbers
Smith 286 passing on 45 attempts with two TDs and three INTs and the 69.3 rating. Davis 102 receiving on 10 catches with two TDs. Gore 83 rushing on 15 carries with a TD. Crabtree 50 receiving on 3 catches. Young 172 passing on 19 attempts. Johnson 135 rushing on 25 carries with two TDs.
Personnel watch
Alex Smith's three-interception second start, the kind of game that has the postgame conversation pointed at the position. Vernon Davis 10 catches for 102 and two TDs, the kind of TE day that, with seven TDs through nine weeks, is on pace for the NFL record. Chris Johnson the kind of running back the 49ers' front seven could not contain.
What it means
3-5 with the Bears in three days on Thursday Night Football. The kind of home loss where the turnover battle and the fourth-quarter defense both went the wrong way. The Thursday-night spot is the kind of short-week home game where the 49ers desperately need a result to keep the season from drifting.
