Lions beat 49ers 32-17, taking advantage of many mistakes

Since then Matthew Stafford has found his rhythm and the Lions have discovered a running game.

In week 16 the 49ers face the Detroit Lions, another team going through a disappointing season.

At least the 49ers’ 11th loss this season offered a different twist, with Australian rookie Jarryd Hayne and the newly acquired DuJuan Harris running relatively well in a 32-17 defeat Sunday at Detroit.

The 49ers have one game left, and my guess is Hayne will be up for that one as well.

“At this point, it doesn’t mean much”, said Boldin, who had five catches for 27 yards. It’s just a little better and less poor. Look for the players to be fighting for their personal futures in today’s game.

“I was hoping to get the ball in my hands and to be a big part of the game”. Hayne likely signed a new two-year contract when he was promoted to the 53-man roster, but even if he did not, he would be an exclusive rights free agent given his lack of accrued National Football League seasons.

He didn’t get that kind of reception when the regular-season began, however. Johnson has 78 receptions for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns – solid numbers but below his usual standards.

“I know I’m capable of playing at this level”, Hayne told reporters after the game. “So I think that’s where we see some shine”.

The Niners flailed and flailed but the Lions defense held strong. “They were playing single-high (safety), so we had plenty of chances”. T.J. Jones, however, caught a 29-yard touchdown pass against Johnson in the second quarter. Matt Prater was four-of- four on field goals — 36, 38, 37 and 34 yards.

San Francisco was done in by 11 penalties and a 1-for-11 effort on third- and fourth-down conversions. That included two pass interference calls in the end zone and seven neutral zone or offsides infractions by the defense. Joe Lombardi was sacked October 26, as were two offensive line coaches, and replaced by Jim Bob Cooter.

The Niners gained just 57 yards after the break, including minus-one yard on the ground after 122 rushing yards in the opening half.

In all likelihood, Hayne won’t remain with San Francisco for much longer, meaning he’ll want to put as much of his talents on game film as possible so that he can shop himself around to other teams for 2016. “The penalties we caused on our own”.

When asked whether he would take a paycut, Calvin Johnson said “We’ll consider those things when or if they happen”. San Francisco never had the lead again, gaining just 72 yards in the second half. Detroit’s two-point conversion try failed, leaving the score at 29-17. Detroit’s previous victory over San Francisco was a 27-24 triumph on September 25, 1995, at Ford Field…. To make room, the team placed guard Alex Boone (knee) on injured reserve on Saturday.

The Lions game Sunday will mark his 100th consecutive game.

San Francisco’s road record for the season finishes at 1-7, and the team has now lost three straight games.