Last. 27. 51. 49ers-Rams ultimate. 24. 42
There are many overreactions from the 49ers’ Week 3 street loss to the Rams, however these underreactions aren’t being mentioned sufficient.
In what could possibly be labeled as one of many worst regular-season defeats for the San Francisco 49ers underneath head coach Kyle Shanahan, Week 3’s epic collapse towards a banged-up Los Angeles Rams crew revealed loads of painful truths about the place the Niners are at three weeks into the 12 months.
There are many issues to level out. Regardless of proudly owning a number of double-digit leads all through, and LA not main within the sport till the ultimate two seconds, San Francisco discovered a number of methods to cough up the competition en path to a 1-2 report.
Sure, it is easy accountable sure gamers. Kicker Jake Moody missed a clutch (however lengthy) 55-yard field-goal strive that would have iced the affair. Huge receiver Ronnie Bell dropped two very catchable passes, together with a would-be first-down conversion that may have additionally iced the sport. Linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles have been unimpressive and had been largely liabilities towards Los Angeles, too.
However, what in regards to the sport’s facets that are not being mentioned sufficient? What are the underreactions from Sunday’s debacle?
Let’s dive into these.
The Moody miss will spotlight what went incorrect on the overlooked-but-critical third part of the sport.
Nevertheless it’s not the only real subject on particular groups.
On the following 49ers possession, following the Rams’ game-tying rating, LA returned a punt by Mitch Wishnowsky 38 yards to get to the 50-yard line, serving to arrange what became Los Angeles’ game-winning area aim.
By three weeks, the Niners are actually worst within the league with a median of 17.3 punt-return yards allowed per sport.
49ers EPA (offense and protection) and DVOA (ST) ranks…
Offense: #5
Protection: #25
Particular groups: #29**ST DVOA doesn’t embrace the faux punt because it doesn’t contemplate that play predictive. With the faux punt counted, SF would most likely rank #31 or 32
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 23, 2024
Whereas the Rams get credit score for changing a faux punt into a primary down, San Francisco additionally failed to acknowledge the desperation its NFC West rivals would have after an 0-2 begin to the season.
In back-to-back weeks now, particular groups has been a large legal responsibility, and coordinator Brian Schneider needs to be feeling the stress.
It is easy to take a look at Bell and conclude he is not a part of the 49ers’ long-term plans on offense, particularly after Sunday’s gaffes.
Nevertheless, it is comprehensible why the Niners needed to flip to him, particularly in gentle of vast receivers Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsall out with accidents. Merely put, San Francisco is skinny on the place.
That stated, Week 3 might have been an ideal alternative for rookie wideout Jacob Cowing to make his presence felt, utilizing his blazing velocity to tug LA defenders additional down the sector in an effort to open up extra alternatives for different 49ers weapons beneath.
As a substitute, Cowing noticed exactly zero offensive snaps in Week 3 and hasn’t been on the sector in any respect on offense for the Niners this season.
Why?
At this level, Bell must be bumped down the depth chart in favor of Cowing.
An under-discussed purpose why San Francisco misplaced Week 3 is penalties.
This is a troublesome stat to acknowledge: The 49ers had been flagged seven occasions for 111 yards, whereas Los Angeles dedicated eight occasions for 75 yards, a distinction of 36 yards in LA’s favor.
Some argue that 100 penalty yards equate to seven factors for the opponent, and it is arduous to disagree in gentle of Sunday’s final result. Contemplate the 49ers had been pound-for-pound favorites to beat their NFC West rivals, self-inflicted errors had been a method the Niners might lose.
It is not only a one-game downside both.
On the 12 months, San Francisco’s penalty-yardage differential is minus-43, which means Shanahan’s squad has taken 43 extra penalty yards than its opponents over three weeks, and that rating places the 49ers ninth-worst within the league so far.
Good groups do not beat themselves. The Niners are beating themselves, so make of that what you’ll.