A bold statement has been made, and it's one that 49ers fans might not want to hear: their team is not the contender they hoped for. The recent 42-26 loss to the Rams has exposed some harsh realities. Despite a decent 6-3 record, the 49ers did nothing at the trade deadline, and now, with a 6-4 record, their playoff hopes are uncertain. Let's dive into the grades for this disappointing performance.
Quarterback Conundrum: Mac Jones vs. Brock Purdy
Mac Jones had an impressive game, completing 85% of his passes with three touchdown throws and zero sacks. He showed exceptional pocket awareness and elusiveness, extending plays and making things happen outside the offense's structure. Jones outshone Brock Purdy, and with his far more affordable contract, he's the clear choice for the present and future. But here's where it gets controversial: if the 49ers decide to bench Jones and bring back Purdy, it could be a huge mistake.
Running Game Struggles
Christian McCaffrey, an elite receiver, struggles with running outside the tackles. He lacks the burst to get around the edge, and the 49ers' strategy of running him horizontally isn't working. Brian Robinson Jr., on the other hand, excels at running between the tackles due to his size, youth, and power. Most coaches would make Robinson the starter, but head coach Shanahan, who extended McCaffrey's contract, is trying to justify the deal by boosting McCaffrey's stats, which is hurting the team's overall performance. Play the best players, Kyle!
Wide Receiver Woes
Jauan Jennings had a solid stat line, but his early mistakes, including a drop, false start, and fumble, put the 49ers in a 21-0 hole. The team performs better without him on the field, yet they force-feed him the ball to keep him happy, neglecting Kendrick Bourne, who's a better receiver.
Tight End Success
George Kittle had a great game with 9 catches, 84 yards, and a touchdown. His backup, Luke Farrell, also caught a touchdown pass. However, neither could create space for McCaffrey to run outside the tackles. The 49ers seem to have forgotten about Jake Tonges, who played well earlier in the season.
Offensive Line: Mixed Bag
The offensive line held up well, allowing zero sacks against a formidable defensive line and helping Brian Robinson Jr. average an impressive 5.1 yards per carry. While Christian McCaffrey averaged only 2.5 yards per carry, the line isn't to blame; they're creating the holes, but McCaffrey needs to break tackles and make defenders miss.
Defensive Struggles
The defense couldn't stop the run, whether between the tackles or outside, and they failed to rush the quarterback, finishing with just one sack. Trading for another defensive lineman at the deadline might have helped. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters are solid players, but Luke Gifford is the weak link. He's too weak to set an edge against the run and too slow to cover anyone. When the 49ers finally cut the deficit to 8 points, the Rams exploited Gifford in coverage, moving the ball downfield with ease. Get him off the field and give someone like rookie Nick Martin a chance.
Cornerback Conundrum
Deommodore Lenoir played well, but Renardo Green got picked on, and Upton Stout seemed lost. Chase Lucas might be a better option, but roster politics might prevent us from finding out. Jason Pinnock excelled as a third-down dime back, and the 49ers should utilize him more often, as Winters, Gifford, Malik Mustapha, and Ji'Ayir Brown struggle in coverage.
Special Teams: Mixed Bag
Eddy Pineiro missed his second extra point with the 49ers, but it was blocked, so it's not entirely his fault. Skyy Moore had a solid 27-yard punt return, showcasing his excellence in returning punts.
Coaching Critique
The 49ers lost by 16 points, not just because of talent disparities, but also due to poor coaching. Kyle Shanahan refused to adjust, calling the same ineffective horizontal outside-zone runs for Christian McCaffrey. He even called this play on a critical fourth-and-1, which failed. Instead, a quarterback sneak could have been the better option. Shanahan's love for complex plays, like the one that resulted in a delay of game penalty, shows he sometimes needs to let his players play straightforward football.
Robert Saleh's defense was unprepared for the Rams' three-tight-end formations, struggling to line up, fit gaps, and cover tight ends. The 49ers gave up 114 yards and two touchdown catches to the Rams' tight ends, most of whom are unknown players.
Front Office Failures
John Lynch's reluctance to trade a third-round pick for Jaelan Phillips, a prime-time edge rusher, is questionable. His obsession with third-round picks is evident, as seen with the kicker pick a few years ago. This year, he spent a third-round pick on linebacker Nick Martin, who hasn't played a single defensive snap. In nine years, Lynch has made only one great third-round pick (Fred Warner), with the rest being mediocre to horrendous.
So, 49ers fans, what do you think? Are these grades fair? And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the players; it's about the coaching and front office decisions that shape the team's fate. What changes would you make to turn things around? Let's discuss in the comments!
