49ers Struggle: A Look at Their Poor Performance

A Disappointing Home Game

The San Francisco 49ers faced a tough game at home against the Seattle Seahawks, losing 13-3. This was their worst offensive performance in nine years under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Making it worse, they lost to Sam Darnold, who was their backup quarterback just two years ago.

The 49ers will now have to play a playoff game on the road next week. Their opponent is still unclear.

Performance Breakdown

Quarterback: Brock Purdy

Tough Game: Under constant pressure, his play-caller wasn't helpful.
Running Game: Almost non-existent.
Receivers: Not open.
Smart Decisions: Made smart decisions but his height is a disadvantage.
Scrambles: Often scrambled out of good pockets.
Interception: Pass tipped and intercepted.

Running Backs: Christian McCaffrey

Bad Game: Averaged only 2.9 yards per carry.
Dropped Pass: Ball bounced to a Seahawks defender, sealing the game.
Offseason Consideration: The 49ers need to consider getting a new running back this offseason.

Wide Receivers

Jauan Jennings: Poor game, slow, doesn't scare any starting NFL cornerback.
Statistics: 35 yards on 6 targets.
Free Agency: The 49ers should let him leave in free agency this offseason.
Ricky Pearsall: Unreliable, sat out with a knee injury.
Next Year: Can't simply hand him a starting job next year.
Competition: Need to bring in competition or a replacement.

Tight Ends: George Kittle

Bad Game: Just 29 yards on 7 targets, seemed slow.
Backup Option: Jake Tonges, who's healthy, would have been a better option.

Offensive Linemen

Trent Williams: Didn't play, 49ers dominated in the trenches.
Age Factor: At Williams' age, he probably wouldn't have changed much about the outcome.

Defensive Linemen

Sack: Sam Darnold once.
Run Defense: Couldn't stop the run.
Defensive Ends: Awful.
Trade Deadline: Too bad the 49ers didn't trade for one at the deadline.

Linebackers

Tatum Bethune: Sacked Darnold once.
Run Defense: Neither he nor Dee Winters could stop the run.
Injuries: Both left the game with lower-body injuries.
Playoff Game: Might have to play with backups starting a linebacker.

Defensive Backs

Deommodore Lenoir: Wanted to cover Jaxon Smith-Njigba man to man.
Pass Interference: Committed a penalty against Smith-Njigba in the end zone.
Zone Defense: Played zone the rest of the night.
Defensive Backs: Simply don't have defensive backs who scare opposing offenses.

Special Teams

Eddy Pineiro: Scored the 49ers' only points.

Coaches

Robert Saleh: Credit for giving up only 13 points.
Run Defense: Let the Seahawks run the ball at will.
Box Load: Didn't load the box consistently.
Back-Breaking Run: Gave up a 19-yard run on third-and-17 late in the game.
Strategy: Should have sold out to stop the run and forced Sam Darnold to make plays.
Kyle Shanahan: Worst game of his career.
Play Calling: Nothing he called worked.
Desperation: Called a double-reverse flea flicker in the second quarter.
Choke: Always finds a way to choke at the end.
Redemption: Has a chance to redeem himself on the road in the playoffs next week.