The Detroit Lions are coming off a big win on Monday Night Football in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints staged a comeback in the second half, despite the fact that quarterback Drew Brees was playing on a torn plantar fascia, but the Lions held them off, winning 35-27. They'll look to lock up another win in Week 16 when they welcome the struggling San Francisco 49ers to Ford Field.
NFL picks and predictions, 49ers vs. Lions 2015: Experts pick Detroit in a clean sweep
The Lions and 49ers have struggled this season, but experts are picking Detroit to win in this Week 16 showdown.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Lions are last in the NFC North, and they’ve already been eliminated from playoff contention. Even before that, the Lions had done some housecleaning, parting ways with general manager Martin Mayhew and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi during the team’s bye week. The Lions are 4-2 since those changes were made.
Still, at 5-9, Jim Caldwell’s job is on the line as the season nears its end. Caldwell has that in common with 49ers coach Jim Tomsula. The 4-10 Niners haven’t inspired confidence in Tomsula’s abilities as a head coach.
In Week 15, Niners quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw three interceptions and wide receiver Anquan Boldin lost a fumble en route to a 24-14 loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals. Since assuming the starting quarterback role when the Niners benched Colin Kaepernick, Gabbert has thrown seven touchdown passes and six interceptions.
Looking at the Lions’ performance since their bye, it’s easy to see why the experts are unanimously picking them to beat the Niners. The entire eight-man panel at CBS Sports went with the Lions at home, and our experts here at SB Nation were in full agreement.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark Computer | |
| SF @ DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET |
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