Team Grades: 49ers Outplayed, Lose Big Must-Win Game To Seahawks
By Jerrell Richardson
The 49ers knew heading into Thursday Night's game that they would need their best effort this season to knock off the Seattle Seahawks, and didn't even come close. They were outplayed in all phases of the game and barely made the game competitive after the first quarter. The offense could get nothing going, and the Seattle offense made the big plays when they needed, resulting in a convincing 19-3 Seahawk victory. While the fact that the 49ers did play the best defense in the league has to be considered, there is no way around the fact that Seattle was the better team on the field by far.
Offense: D-
The only thing keeping the 49ers from an F is who they played. They couldn't run the ball, had problems with the pass rush, Colin Kaepernick was off with his throws and the receivers failed to win their one on one battles. As a team, San Francisco managed a pathetic 138 total yards, which was balanced, but not in a good way. In fact, the 49ers had more first downs off Seattle penalties (5) than they could earn with their running game (3).
Frank Gore touched the ball 10 times for only 28 yards. Carlos Hyde didn't do any better with 19 yards on 5 carries and as a team, the 49ers rushed for 64 yards. With no running game to speak off, it fell to the arm of Colin Kaepernick, who failed to deliver.
Colin Kaepernick had one of his worst statistical games of his career, completing just 16 of 29 attempts for a meager 121 yards. He was sacked 4 times, which was not really his fault, but he threw 2 interceptions that were. Not only were both his interceptions bad throws, they were bad decisions. When Kaepernick wasn't throwing the ball to Richard Sherman he couldn't find an open receiver, or the San Francisco wide outs failed to make a play.
The teams leading receiver was running back Carlos Hyde who had just 38 yards. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, the team's number one threat was held to 18 yards, and no player had more than 3 receptions. Despite the new rules to help the offense, the Seattle defense again stifled the 49er offense in all phases. The goal of the Seahawks was to make the 49ers one dimensional, and they did that and then some.
Defense: C
The 49ers defense had some high and low points. They failed to make some tackles and several times let a Seattle receiver run free in the secondary. However, 19 allowed points is not terrible, and they made several stops that kept this game competitive far longer than it should have been. In fact, a look at the numbers shows that the defense held up well, but with no support from their offense was fighting a losing battle.
Russell Wilson connected on 15 of his 22 throws, for 236 yards and a touchdown. He spread the ball around, hitting 8 different receivers, but he didn't exactly exploit the 49ers' secondary. In fact, Seattle's leading receiver was tight end Tony Moeaki, who accumulated all of his 63 yards on one reception. A lack of a passing game did not cost the Seahawks though as their running game was again the difference.
Marshawn Lynch averaged over 5 yards a carry, piling up 104 yards on just 20 carries. Russell Wilson chipped in 35 rushing yards, and as a team Seattle totaled 157 yards on the ground. Chris Borland had a team high 16 tackles, but also appeared to be out of position on several passing plays, and failed to bring down Marshawn Lynch in the open field on numerous occasions.
If they had gotten more from the offense, than the defense would not have eventually worn down, or at least in the way they did. However, the defense still failed to get off the field and the bottom line is that Seattle was able to both run and pass the ball with success, and when they really needed a play they converted.
Special Teams: B
The punt and kicking game were solid, but the return game was a non-contributor. Andy Lee averaged 47.6 yards per punt, and Phil Dawson hit his only field goal attempt. Perrish Cox had a bad game returning punts, with just 12 yards and a lost fumble. Hyde did a modest job in the return game, but his 20.7 average is far from impressive. The Specials teams was a non-factor due to Seattle outplaying the 49ers everywhere else on the field.
Win Out?
As they have in every defeat this season, San Francisco saw all phases of their team let them down. The offense could do nothing all night, the special teams had a turnover and the defense made too many mistakes against a quality offense. This loss gives the 49ers 5 on the season, and puts them very close to being outside of the playoff picture. The only positive to take from this game is that as bad as this performance was, it was against the defending Super Bowl Champs, and they make a lot of teams look like this. The 49ers have the Raiders up next and will need to get their offense in gear as San Francisco can't afford to lose another game in 2014.
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Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. Jerrell is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.