49ers vs. Lions: Full San Francisco Game Preview

The San Francisco 49ers reached double digits in the loss column for the first time since 2010 after falling to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and now the Niners look to rebound on the road versus an invigorated Detroit Lions team in Week 16.

At 4-10, the 49ers have secured last place in the NFC West and have little else to play for aside from pride and whatever prospects each coach and player may have in 2016.

And there is next year's draft order to consider as well.

The 5-9 Lions are coming off a 35-27 road victory over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football and, while the short week works against their favor, will look to continue the 49ers' difficulties in winning games away from Levi's Stadium.

Indeed, San Francisco isn't a good road team. Well, the 49ers aren't much of a good team at all. And playing in Detroit certainly doesn't work into the Niners' favor.

What's on the line for the 49ers as their 2015 campaign winds down? Let's preview this Week 16 contest for San Francisco.

Location: Ford Field, Detroit

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

NFC West Division Standings

• Arizona Cardinals (12-2)
• Seattle Seahawks (9-5)
• St. Louis Rams (6-8)
• San Francisco 49ers (4-10)

A 21-0 halftime deficit should reveal nearly everything one needs to know about the 49ers' efforts against the Bengals in Week 15.

Defensively, San Francisco looked as if it was going to be able to provide an inspired effort against second-year quarterback AJ McCarron—starting in place of QB Andy Dalton (hand)—with a series of solid stands in the first quarter.

But things started to unravel for the 49ers in the second.

The 49ers suffered a number of miscues during the quarter including three turnovers, two of which were interceptions off bobbled would-be catches from tight end Vance McDonald, and a short 18-yard punt from rookie Bradley Pinion.

With San Francisco's offensive woes continuing, Week 15 was in the books, essentially, by the half. The 49ers finally got into the end zone at the 3:18 mark of the third quarter and added a touchdown reception by wide receiver Anquan Boldin with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.

Still, the 49ers dropped the contest 24-14.

Ironically, San Francisco outgained Cincinnati 318 yards to 242. But the 49ers' ongoing issues on third down (two conversions on 14 attempts), turnovers and 11 accepted penalties for 98 yards ensured the Niners would suffer their 10th loss of the season.

Jim Tomsula's Job Safe in 2016

Head coach Jim Tomsula's first year at the helm of the 49ers hasn't gone according to plan. Granted, Tomsula has had to deal with the flurry of departures that took place last offseason. But the end result will be nothing like what fans expected this season.

Simply look at how empty Levi's Stadium has looked over the 49ers' last two home games.

Tomsula has been under the microscope all season. But recent reports suggest he'll return to his position in 2016. CBS Sports' Jay Feely (h/t Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area) spoke with 49ers COO Al Guido, who stated the front office seemed "confident" with Tomsula moving forward.

B/R's Jason Cole also received insider buzz about this likelihood, as indicated in the video above.

Whatever fans' sentiments may be about Tomsula, signs aren't pointing to him going anywhere next season.

Jarryd Hayne Snubbed for 53-Man Roster Spot

The 49ers suffered yet another injury to their already-depleted running back corps when Shaun Draughn was removed from Week 15 with a knee injury.

With two games left on the season, San Francisco had a chance to promote running back Jarryd Hayne from the practice squad and, at least, evaluate what he's developed and learned since being demoted earlier this season.

Instead, the 49ers signed running back DuJuan Harris from the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad and released running back Travaris Cadet.

The San Jose Mercury News' Cam Inman, contributing for Fox Sports Australia, noted Hayne should consider leaving the 49ers this offseason to find a team that will trust him more on the field and put his skill set to use.

If that would be the case, San Francisco would lose out on one of only a handful of good stories since the start of training camp.

NaVorro Bowman and Joe Staley Make the Pro Bowl, Alex Boone an Alternate

Despite a forgettable season, the 49ers were fortunate enough to have two of their players selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016: linebacker NaVorro Bowman and left tackle Joe Staley.

Bowman now has three Pro Bowl nominations under his belt, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, and this will also mark Staley's fifth straight selection.

Left guard Alex Boone, who is a free agent after this season, was also selected as an alternate.

LG Alex Boone (Knee)—Out

Left guard Alex Boone suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns and was initially replaced by offensive lineman Marcus Martin during that contest. Fellow guard Andrew Tiller took over the spot at left guard in Week 15.

Boone, a free agent in 2016, could have played his last game in San Francisco and figures to be one of the top free-agent targets on the market this offseason.

RB Shaun Draughn (Knee)—Doubtful

Running back Shaun Draughn, who has shouldered the majority of tailback duties since No. 1 back Carlos Hyde (foot) was removed from the lineup, had an MRI on his injured knee this week, per the team's website.

To supplement the depth chart at the position, San Francisco signed DuJuan Harris off the Ravens' practice squad and released running back Travaris Cadet. 

Rookie running back Mike Davis (hand) is set to resume practice this week, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area (h/t CBS Sports), but wouldn't be activated until Week 17.

OL Marcus Martin (Concussion)—Questionable

Center and offensive guard Marcus Martin suffered a concussion in Week 15 and will have to pass the NFL's concussion protocol in order to suit up in Week 16.

Martin spent the majority of the season starting at center in place of Daniel Kilgore, who has since returned from a knee injury suffered last season. 

During that stretch, Martin ranked No. 39 out of 40 eligible centers with a minus-42.1 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus.

LB Michael Wilhoite (Ankle)—Questionable

Linebacker Michael Wilhoite continues to nurse an ankle injury suffered in Week 13 and has missed the 49ers' last two contests.

Fellow linebacker Gerald Hodges has been getting the nod in Wilhoite's stead.

LB Aaron Lynch (Concussion)—Questionable

Also going through the NFL concussion protocol is outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, who suffered a head injury in Week 13. 

Lynch is the 49ers' leading pass-rusher with 6.5 sacks on the year. San Francisco has attempted to generate some presence here with backup linebackers Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold.

Neither of those two players have registered a sack this season.

Battle in the Trenches: 49ers D-Line vs. Lions O-Line

San Francisco has struggled, defensively, away from home this season but may have a solid opportunity to reverse its fortunes in Detroit.

And it will start along the line of scrimmage.

The Lions offensive line boasts just two O-linemen, with 200-plus snaps, who have positive PFF grades on the season: Manuel Ramirez and Riley Reiff—plus-7.1 and plus-0.8, respectively. As a team, the Lions are minus-51.8 in pass protection and minus-37.5 in run support per PFF.

Look for rookie defensive end Arik Armstead to be a factor here against the pass. And nose tackle Ian Williams could also impact the 49ers' efforts against the Lions' ground game.

49ers Secondary vs. Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate

Lions wideout Calvin Johnson has an even 1,000 receiving yards on the season, and Detroit's offense also has a viable No. 2 option in fellow receiver Golden Tate (720 yards). This tandem has a combined 13 touchdown receptions on the season and will face a 49ers defense that has allowed 19 touchdown receptions on the season—eighth in the NFL.

Johnson, all 6'5" of him, presents a mismatch nightmare for defenses. No. 1 cornerback Tramaine Brock (5'10") may be better suited to cover the significantly shorter Tate, while second-year defensive back Dontae Johnson (6'2") gets the assignment against Johnson.

Detroit's passing game ranks No. 9 in the league with 3,646 yards through the air. So look for Johnson and Tate to be critical components for the Lions offense on Sunday.

Joe Staley vs. Ezekiel Ansah

Detroit defensive end Ezekiel Ansah is, without doubt, the Lions' best pass-rusher on the season. He leads the team with 13.5 sacks and boasts a plus-12.7 pass-rushing grade with 28 quarterback hurries, per PFF.

Opposing Ansah will be left tackle Joe Staley—San Francisco's best O-lineman. He'll be responsible for protecting quarterback Blaine Gabbert's blind side.

49ers Ground Game vs. Stephen Tulloch

Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch is Detroit's best run-stopper with a plus-8.0 run defense per PFF. He's also the team's leading tackler with 65 on the season.

The 49ers have some question marks regarding their ground game in advance of this contest. With running back Shaun Draughn doubtful, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst will have to get creative with San Francisco ball-carriers on Sunday.

And it doesn't help the 49ers rank No. 31 in the league, per PFF, in run support.

49ers' X-Factor of the Week: The Turnover Differential

Turnovers helped kill the 49ers' efforts in Week 15 versus the Bengals. Two would-be receptions, turned interceptions, from tight end Vance McDonald and a stripped-ball fumble from wide receiver Anquan Boldin doomed San Francisco's chances.

A last-ranked Niner offense can't afford these kind of miscues. Fortunately, the 49ers have been relatively effective at limiting turnovers this season. The offense has just 15 turnovers, which ranks No. 5 in the NFL.

On the flip side, the Lions aren't exactly a turnover-generating machine. Their 15 takeaways rank No. 27 in the league.

Detroit has also had its problems protecting the ball. The Lions offense ranks No. 24 in the league with 24 turnovers—13 of which have come from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Similar to Detroit's inability to generate turnovers, San Francisco has struggled to force a change in possession with just 12 of its own takeaways—No. 30 in the league.

But offensive possession will be a key factor for the 49ers as they match up against a Lions defense that has allowed 24 or more points in nine of their 14 games played.

So look for turnovers to be an essential part of San Francisco's efforts.

The 49ers enter Week 16 as 10-point underdogs to the Lions with a predicted score of 31.8 to 12.4 in favor of Detroit, according to Odds Shark.

It's not hard to see why.

San Francisco's offense can't score away from home. In reality, this unit can't score anywhere. The 49ers' last-place offense is averaging just 14.4 points per game. Meanwhile, the Lions are averaging a respectable 24.4 points per game at Ford Field this season.

In repetitive weeks, the 49ers game plan has failed to overcome third-down woes and generate enough of a rhythm to maintain possession long enough to keep opposing defenses off the field and increase San Francisco's lowly offensive standings.

And, with a banged-up running back group, the 49ers won't likely be able to establish any sort of ground game either.

True, the Lions are a bad team as their 5-9 record suggests. But Detroit has won four of its last six contests, while San Francisco is the exact opposite over that same stretch.

Look for the 49ers to drop yet another road game this season and fall to 4-11.

Prediction: 49ers 17, Lions 27

All statistics, injury reports, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.