By Morris Phillips

This time–perhaps infused with holiday enthusiasm–the 49ers showed up early, bringing touchdowns for their win-starved fan base.

But the good feelings didn’t last long. The 49ers were present and alert, and at times overly enthusiastic, but ultimately, they didn’t stay long enough to make a lasting impression.

Call it more of the same, remixed.

The 49ers took an early 14-10 lead, scoring a touchdown in the first quarter for the first time this season, only to collapse, gaining a paltry 57 yards in total offense after halftime in a 32-17 loss to the Lions at Detroit’s Ford Field.   The 49ers fell to 4-11 on the season with one home game remaining, insuring their worst showing in the won-loss column since 2007.

Blaine Gabbert did what Colin Kaepernick could not, leading the 49ers on an 11-play drive to start the game, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Vance McDonald. As an answer to the team’s painfully slow starts, and repeated deficits on the scoreboard, this drive was an eye-opener.

Gabbert would go on to have his best afternoon of the season statistically, completing 22 of 33 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Just one issue: Gabbert and the 49ers’ offense disappeared after halftime. Trailing 20-17 at the half, the 49ers ran just 20 plays in the second half, possessing the ball for less than three minutes of game time on each possession.

“We have to find a way to put a complete game together, and just execute at a higher level,” Gabbert said.

The Lions had been the 49ers’ ATM machine, losing nine straight regular season games, and 14 of 15 to San Francisco dating back to October 1988. But the Lions have made an about face after starting the season 0-5, winning five of nine coming in. That surge continued Sunday with much maligned Matthew Stafford connecting with his biggest targets, Calvin Johnson, Theo Riddick and Golden Tate, without committing his usual missteps.

Stafford finished 29 of 37 for 301 yards including touchdown passes to T.J. Jones and Johnson.

The 49ers elected to elevate Jarryd Hayne from the practice squad in a rotation with newly signed DuJuan Harris hoping the pair could bring electricity to the run game, and it also worked for a while. Harris proved to be shiftier than the injured Shaun Draughn, and Hayne put the physicality back in the run game that had missing since Carlos Hyde was felled. But that meant a couple of impressive runs for the pair, but little else.

Anquan Boldin caught five passes putting him past 1,000 catches in his career, making him only the 13^th player in NFL history to amass that many catches. But Boldin didn’t catch any in the second half after his impressive start. Not surprisingly, history wasn’t what the veteran receiver was looking for.

“At this point, it doesn’t mean much. I’d much rather take the win,” Boldin said.

The 49ers committed 11 penalties for the second straight week, six of those offside calls on the defense.

Next week at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers conclude their 2015 season against the Rams. If the 49ers lose that one, they’ll be saddled with a 0-6 record against the NFC West, a first for the club since 1977.