Preview nuts & bolts for 49ers-Jaguars in Week 16

The San Francisco 49ers are back in action today, in the penultimate game of their schedule. With only two more games worth of Jimmy Garoppolo for this season, y’all better drink it in!

The 49ers face their most significant challenge of the season in Week 16, as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game gets going at 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS, and will have Andrew Catalon and James Lofton calling the game from the booth. There will be no sideline reporter. Given the 49ers improved play and the Jaguars contending play, I’m a little surprised we don’t see announcers further up thed epth chart.

San Francisco has won Jimmy Garoppolo’s first three starts and four of their last five games to come into Week 16 at 4-10. Optimism is running high following last week’s last second win over the Tennessee Titans. Jimmy Garoppolo has thrown for higher yardage totals each of his first three starts, and holds the franchise record for most yards in his first three starts for the organization.

This week, he faces a Jaguars team that is playing some great defense. Their run defense has improved since the addition of Marcell Dareus, but it’s their ridiculously good pass defense that will be the real challenge. The pass rush is the best in the NFL, leading the league in the traditional sack category, as well as adjusted sack rate. On the back end, cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye both made the Pro Bowl and could easily both earn All Pro honors. It’s safe to say this will be the biggest challenge to date for the 49ers offense.

The 49ers come into this game mostly healthy. Greg Mabin and Garrett Celek are the only two players on the injury report. Mabin is out with a calf injury, which means Dontae Johnson will start opposite Ahkello Witherspoon. Celek is questionable with knee and rib injuries. He was limited in practice all week long, but Kyle Shanahan did not seem overly concerned in detailing his status.

Jacksonville opened this week as a five point spread, but the line has come down to four or 4.5 points, according to various sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark. Naturally I am taking the 49ers to cover this spread, but I could see this going one of two ways. Either the 49ers spring a slim upset, or the Jaguars cruise to victory.

Here is a full rundown of how to watch today’s game.

Nuts and bolts

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Sunday, December 24, 1:05 p.m. PT
TV channel: CBS
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Matchup History: Series tied 2-2
Spread: 49ers +4
Announcers: Andrew Catalon, James Lofton
Lead Referee: Jeff Triplette
Enemy blog: Big Cat Country
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!

Regular season schedule

Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers - 23-3 LOSS
Week 2: @ Seattle Seahawks - 12-9 LOSS
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams - 41-39 LOSS
Week 4: @ Arizona Cardinals - 18-15 LOSS
Week 5: @ Indianapolis Colts - 26-23 LOSS
Week 6: @ Washington - 26-24 LOSS
Week 7: vs. Dallas Cowboys - 40-10 LOSS
Week 8: @ Philadelphia Eagles - 33-10 LOSS
Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals - 20-10 LOSS
Week 10: vs. New York Giants - 31-21 WIN
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks - 24-13 LOSS
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears - 15-14 WIN
Week 14: @ Houston Texans - 26-16 WIN
Week 15: vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:25 p.m., CBS, Sunday, December 17
Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:05 p.m., CBS, Sunday, December 24
Week 17: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 31