The San Francisco 49ers' first offensive play of the game was a short 5-yard pass from QB Blaine Gabbert to WR Anquan Boldin. The completion gave Boldin his 1,000th career reception, a milestone accomplished by only 12 other receivers.
That drive would end up consuming 11 plays and 80 yards and would be capped off with a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Vance McDonald to give the 49ers an early 7-0 lead.
The Lions converted a fake punt to keep a later drive alive and, very early in the second quarter, the Lions would take a 10-7 lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass to WR T.J. Jones from QB Matthew Stafford. That score capped off a 9-play, 74-yard drive. The 49ers would respond with another touchdown, this time on a 16-yard pass from Gabbert to WR Torrey Smith, giving San Francisco a 14-10 lead.
49ers Torrey Smith's 16-yard touchdown
Later in the quarter, a fumble by Gabbert at the 49ers' 1-yard line would result in an easy 1-yard touchdown run by Lions RB Joique Bell, putting Detroit up 17-14.
After an earlier missed field goal attempt, San Francisco would tie things up 17-17 following a late successful field goal by K Phil Dawson, but a quick drive and a 38-yard field goal by Lions K Matt Prater would put Detroit up 20-17 going into the half. The 49ers' 17 first half points would exceed the their season road average of 15.3 points per game and Gabbert would go into the locker room with a 130.3 passer rating at halftime.
#49ers are 1st team with 6 offside/neutral zone penalties in the first half since 1993 when the Houston Oilers had the dubious feat
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) December 27, 2015
The 49ers offense would stall in the second half. While the third quarter saw only a field goal by Detroit, in the fourth, Stafford found WR Calvin Johnson in the end zone to put the Lions up 29-17 after a failed two-point conversion. It was a big play for the home crowd who may have seen Johnson play in his final home game at Ford Field.
A late field goal by Detroit would give them the 32-17 victory, improving their record to 6-9. Long eliminated from the playoffs, the Lions have now won five of their last seven after starting the season winning just one of their first seven games.
#49ers first-half rushing: 20 carries, 122 yards. Second half: 3 carries, minus-1 yard.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 27, 2015
Gabbert would finish the game 22 of 33 for 225 yards, two touchdowns, and a 106.3 passer rating. McDonald would lead the 49ers in receiving with 61 yards on five catches, including one of Gabbert's touchdowns. Newly signed RB DuJuan Harris finished the game with 73 yards on 11 carries. He would add 11 yards with his lone reception. LB Ahmad Brooks led the defense in sacks with 1.5.
While the 49ers offense had 265 yards in the first half, they had just 57 in the second.
For Detroit, Stafford would complete 29 of his 37 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson would lead the Lions in receiving with 77 yards on six receptions, including a touchdown. The Lions defense would bring Gabbert down three times.
Jim Tomsula Reacts to Week 16 Loss
In May at the NFL owners' meetings, 49ers CEO Jed York said that he expected the 49ers to go 11-5 this season. Instead of 11 wins, the 49ers have now recorded their 11th loss of the season with just four victories. San Francisco will complete their disastrous 2015 season having lost seven of their eight road games. For the second week in a row, the television announcing team speculated that 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula would be returning in 2016.
The 49ers will finish the season by hosting the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, January 3rd at Levi's Stadium.
Injuries
DT Quinton Dial left the game with a back injury and was questionable to return.
DE Arik Armstead had trainers looking at his right ankle late in the fourth quarter. Following the game, Armstead said that x-rays were negative.
Player Quotes
LB NaVorro Bowman said that he told teammates who were jumping offsides to watch the ball "about 50 or 60 times."