Things are going from bad to worse for the struggling San Francisco 49ers as they absorbed a 10-point loss to Cincinnati on Sunday, their fourth defeat in their last five games. They will look to end their losing rut this coming Sunday when they take on the Detroit Lions in an intriguing showdown at Ford Field.
Who will grab the edge in this NFC clash? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our Week 16 previews of Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore and Cincinnati vs. Denver.
[sc:Football ]San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Preview
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: Sunday, December 27, 1:00 PM ET
Line: San Francisco 49ers (+9) at Detroit Lions (-9); total: 43.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the San Francisco 49ers (4-10)
San Francisco’s losing woes show no sign of ending as the 49ers crashed to their second straight defeat with a humbling 24-14 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Turnovers doomed the 49ers as they clinched last place in the NFC West for the first time since 2005. Four San Francisco miscues swung the game in Cincinnati’s favor as the Bengals scored three touchdowns in a five-minute span in the second quarter.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The 49ers will look to end their season on a flourish when they face the Detroit Lions this coming Sunday. For the 49ers to end their losing rut, they will need to improve on their play on the offensive end, particularly on third downs. San Francisco went 2-for-14 on their third-down conversions against Cincinnati. Their third-down woes are one of the main reasons why the Niners are dead-last in the NFL in scoring, averaging a paltry 14.4 points per game this season.
The onus then is on Blaine Gabbert to step up his play. He completed 30 of 50 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown with three costly interceptions in the game against the Bengals. Gabbert will have to work with a new running back, though, with Shaun Draughn injuring his knee in Week 15. Expected to take his starting position is Travaris Cadet who racked up 36 total yards in the loss to Cincinnati.
The 49ers are 2-5 ATS on the road this season.
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Betting on the Detroit Lions (5-9)
The Detroit Lions returned to winning ways Monday with a convincing 35-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints. It was a solid win by the Lions who are now tied with the Bears for third place in the NFC North with both teams carrying 5-9 slates.
Leading the way for the Lions in this victory was Matthew Stafford. He completed 22-of-25 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. It was an incredible performance by Stafford who registered a passer rating of 148.6. He has now thrown 14 touchdowns with two picks since Jim Bob Cooter took over Detroit’s offense. Also stepping up big time for the Lions were Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell. They combined for 148 rushing yards and two scores.
Their excellent play will serve Detroit in good stead ahead of its clash with San Francisco. The Lions will have their work cut out for them, however, against the 49ers as they have struggled against them of late. The Lions have lost 16 of the past 18 meetings against San Francisco, including nine in a row, dating back to 1983.
That being said, they will fancy their chances against a San Francisco side that has been abysmal on the defensive end this season. The 49ers are sixth-worst in the NFL in the total defense department, allowing a whopping 390.3 yards per game this campaign.
The Lions are 2-5 ATS at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit (-9) wins, 27-13.
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