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.
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.
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.
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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."
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