NFL game summary for 12/17/1978:
The 49ers used four quarterbacks but failed to mount a threat against the rampaging Lions, who scored 78 points in their final two games. Wide receiver Freddie Solomon, formerly a quarterback at the University of Tampa, replaced injured San Francisco regulars Steve DeBerg and Scott Bull, and defensive back Bruce Threadgill had a cast removed from his right hand in time to replace Solomon. Dexter Bussey with two touchdown runs and Benny Ricardo with four field goals paced the Detroit offensive attack. The Lions' defense collected four 49ers fumbles and three interceptions. Detroit's "Silver Rush" defensive line finished the season with a club record 53 sacks. Rookie defensive end Al Baker was the individual leader with 23.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 124.0 (25) | 121.2 (25) | 245.2 (27) | 56 |
| DEFENSE | 152.9 (21) | 167.1 (20) | 320.1 (22) | 43 | |
 | OFFENSE | 139.6 (16) | 143.3 (19) | 282.9 (21) | 31 |
| DEFENSE | 130.2 (11) | 144.1 (7) | 274.3 (6) | 34 |
Line: Lions by 10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers (2-14-0) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Detroit Lions (7-9-0) | 3 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
( 0- 3) DET Benny Ricardo 19 yard field goal
( 7- 3) SF Jack Steptoe 35 yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Ray Wersching kick)
( 7- 6) DET Benny Ricardo 40 yard field goal
( 7-13) DET Dexter Bussey 4 yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick)
( 7-20) DET Dexter Bussey 1 yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick)
( 7-27) DET Jimmy Allen 64 yard fumble return (Benny Ricardo kick)
(14-27) SF Freddie Solomon 11 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
(14-30) DET Benny Ricardo 31 yard field goal
(14-33) DET Benny Ricardo 22 yard field goal
SF DET
First Downs: 20 17
Rushes-yards: 49-231 32-69
Yards/rush: 4.7 2.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 8-21-182-3 15-30-180-1
Sacked-yards: 4-44 3-28
Net pass yards: 138 152
Net yards/pass: 5.5 4.6
Total net yards: 369 221
Total plays: 74 (66% run) 65 (49% run)
Yards/play: 5.0 3.4
Fumbles-lost: 10-4 1-1
Turnovers: 7 2
Penalties-yards: 12-106 7-57
Attendance: 56,674
Passing:
SF: Freddie Solomon, 5 of 9 for 85 yards (1 int); Scott Bull, 0 of 7 for 0 yards; Steve DeBerg, 3 of 3 for 97 yards and 1 TD; Bruce Threadgill, 0 of 2 for 0 yards (2 int) DET: Gary Danielson, 15 of 30 for 180 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
SF: Paul Hofer, 15 for 96 yards; Greg Boykin, 12 for 57 yards; Freddie Solomon, 9 for 42 yards and 1 TD; Bob Ferrell, 8 for 26 yards; Scott Bull, 3 for 6 yards; Dave Williams, 1 for 2 yards; Earl Carr, 1 for 2 yards DET: Dexter Bussey, 19 for 51 yards and 2 TDs; Lawrence Gaines, 8 for 9 yards; Luther Blue, 2 for 1 yard; Rick Kane, 1 for 4 yards; David Hill, 1 for 3 yards; Gary Danielson, 1 for 1 yard
Receiving:
SF: Paul Seal, 2 for 35 yards; Dave Williams, 2 for 20 yards; Freddie Solomon, 1 for 50 yards; Jack Steptoe, 1 for 35 yards and 1 TD; Kenny Harrison, 1 for 30 yards; Bob Ferrell, 1 for 12 yards DET: Luther Blue, 6 for 55 yards; David Hill, 4 for 63 yards; Freddie Scott, 2 for 17 yards; Dexter Bussey, 1 for 18 yards; Rick Kane, 1 for 18 yards; Lawrence Gaines, 1 for 9 yards
Kick returns:
SF: Dave Williams, 5 for 101 yards; Paul Hofer, 3 for 53 yards DET: James Hunter, 1 for 21 yards; Willie McGee, 1 for 0 yards
Punt returns:
SF: Mike Shumann, 3 for 36 yards; Jack Steptoe, 3 for 25 yards DET: Luther Blue, 2 for 19 yards
Interceptions:
SF: Ricky Odom, 1 for 0 yards DET: Jimmy Allen, 1 for 27 yards; Ed O'Neil, 1 for 10 yards; Luther Bradley, 1 for 9 yards
Punting:
SF: Mike Connell, 4 for 163 yards DET: Tom Skladany, 7 for 310 yards
Field Goals:
SF: Ray Wersching, 0/1 DET: Benny Ricardo, 4/4
SF: Freddie Solomon, 5 of 9 for 85 yards (1 int); Scott Bull, 0 of 7 for 0 yards; Steve DeBerg, 3 of 3 for 97 yards and 1 TD; Bruce Threadgill, 0 of 2 for 0 yards (2 int) DET: Gary Danielson, 15 of 30 for 180 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
SF: Paul Hofer, 15 for 96 yards; Greg Boykin, 12 for 57 yards; Freddie Solomon, 9 for 42 yards and 1 TD; Bob Ferrell, 8 for 26 yards; Scott Bull, 3 for 6 yards; Dave Williams, 1 for 2 yards; Earl Carr, 1 for 2 yards DET: Dexter Bussey, 19 for 51 yards and 2 TDs; Lawrence Gaines, 8 for 9 yards; Luther Blue, 2 for 1 yard; Rick Kane, 1 for 4 yards; David Hill, 1 for 3 yards; Gary Danielson, 1 for 1 yard
Receiving:
SF: Paul Seal, 2 for 35 yards; Dave Williams, 2 for 20 yards; Freddie Solomon, 1 for 50 yards; Jack Steptoe, 1 for 35 yards and 1 TD; Kenny Harrison, 1 for 30 yards; Bob Ferrell, 1 for 12 yards DET: Luther Blue, 6 for 55 yards; David Hill, 4 for 63 yards; Freddie Scott, 2 for 17 yards; Dexter Bussey, 1 for 18 yards; Rick Kane, 1 for 18 yards; Lawrence Gaines, 1 for 9 yards
Kick returns:
SF: Dave Williams, 5 for 101 yards; Paul Hofer, 3 for 53 yards DET: James Hunter, 1 for 21 yards; Willie McGee, 1 for 0 yards
Punt returns:
SF: Mike Shumann, 3 for 36 yards; Jack Steptoe, 3 for 25 yards DET: Luther Blue, 2 for 19 yards
Interceptions:
SF: Ricky Odom, 1 for 0 yards DET: Jimmy Allen, 1 for 27 yards; Ed O'Neil, 1 for 10 yards; Luther Bradley, 1 for 9 yards
Punting:
SF: Mike Connell, 4 for 163 yards DET: Tom Skladany, 7 for 310 yards
Field Goals:
SF: Ray Wersching, 0/1 DET: Benny Ricardo, 4/4