Sep 6, 1981 Week 1 San Francisco 49ers at The Detroit Lions (full game)

The San Francisco 49ers lost their 1981 season opener 24–17 to the Detroit Lions on September 6, 1981, at the Pontiac Silverdome. Despite a 14-point fourth-quarter rally led by quarterback Joe Montana, the 49ers could not overcome a 10-3 halftime deficit and a strong performance by Detroit's offense.