In week 15 of the NFL season the San Francisco 49ers took on their division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.  In a game that was a must win for the 49ers if they hoped to sneak into the playoffs, the Niners came up short and fell to the Rams 12-6. Let’s take a look at what went wrong and if anything went right for the Bang Bang Niners Gang. 

As tradition dictates, we shall begin with the injury report.  It was actually a mixed bag this week.  Trent Williams missed the game as did Malik Mustapha, and Khalil Davis.  However, the Niners got some reinforcements as Banks returned, Hufanga returned and Nick Bosa returned to the lineup.  The big news was that Dre Greenlaw made his season debut after blowing out his Achillis in the Superbowl.  Of course, as the season from hell continues, like the Super Bowl, Dre only played the first half.  Isaac Guerendo was also able to play after getting hurt late last week. 

With that out of the way let’s get to the game action.  OK action is a bit of a strong word.  The first half was played in a down pour and well, it was atrocious.  There were 11 punts in the first half.  ELEVEN!  Both teams managed field goals but it was just a non-entertaining half of boring football.  Both teams knowing the other couldn’t pass just focused in on stopping the run and they were both very successful at it.  The second half was a little better but both teams still only combined to score 4 field goals in the second half for a score out of the 1950s.  The only two big plays in the whole game were a 51-yard pass to Puka Nacua and an INT by the Rams.  I really have no idea why anyone who wasn’t a Rams or Niners fan would have watched this debacle.

The 49ers defense played pretty great in this game.  Given, the rain in the first half really helped but even in the second half they only gave up one big play and kept the Rams out of the endzone all game.  Anytime you hold the Rams to 12 points you have done something.  And you should win the game.  The only black mark on the defense is that they dropped two INTs in the first half.  The field position they would have had with the two picks may have resulted in at least a couple of more field goals and would have changed the whole complexion of the game.  But in the pouring rain the guys who are paid to catch the ball couldn’t, you really can’t be surprised the guys on defense dropped the ball as well. 

The offense had all sorts of problems.  The biggest of which I think is that they could not run the ball.  This has been a recurring problem throughout this season.  The Niners offense is supposed to be a 50/50 split between running and passing but the run game has been bad most of the season.  They really need to find a way to run the ball when Trent Williams or George Kittle misses a game.  The one area in which Kyle Shanahan and I do not see eye to eye on is the offensive line.  He believes that outside of left tackle, you can piece together an offensive line and be good enough.  I believe the offensive line is the most important position in football.  Hopefully the Niners will find a way in the offseason to get more consistent play out of the big guys up front next season. 

Without a run game the passing game is always in a tough position.  They are usually behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations.  This makes it a lot easier for the defense.  Especially as they do not have to really worry about play action pass.  With that said, the pass game was not good in this one.  Guys dropped passes, Purdy missed open guys and threw a terrible INT. And no one, with the exception of Kittle, made a play on offense.  Sometime you need a wide out to make a great catch.  That did not happen at all in this game for the Niners.  You can excuse what went down in the first half but there was really no excuse for the second half.  And it’s not like they had to light it up, just get in the endzone one time. 

The Special teams were actually pretty good.  O’Donnell got off to a slow start punting but was fine by the end of the night (he got plenty of practice in). They had two illegal formations penalties on punts that hurt.  But aside from that, they did fine in the return game and in the coverage game and Moody made both of his field goal attempts including a 53 yarder in the pouring rain.  Deebo looked like he was going to be the big hero with a kick return one the Niners last possession.  With the return and penalty, he got the Niners to the 50-yard line but a missed pass to Pearsall on the sideline ended any chance of a comeback from the Niners. 

Some Quick Hitters…

–The NFL really has to consider rain delays and rain/snow outs in the future.  The first half of this game and the one in Buffalo were just unwatchable.  I hate domes but they really need to stay away from weather games.

–Half way through the game De’Vondre Campbell decided he didn’t want to play and refused to go into the game and went to the locker room.  That went over with his teammates exactly how you would expect it to.  My guess is that the Niners will cut him today.  Unless there is some unknown excuse for his actions. 

–Deebo Samuel complained about his lack of touches during the week in a now deleted Twitter post.  He, unlike George Kittle when he suggested he could be more involved in the offense, did not walk the walk.  Deebo had 2 carries for 3 yards and caught only 3 of his 7 targets for 16 yards.  He also dropped what would most likely have been a TD pass.  Not a good look. 

Well, this loss brings an end to the 49ers’ playoff hopes.  Now they are probably better off losing out than winning anymore games.  They have to fly all the way to Miami for next weeks game against the Dolphins.  That one could get ugly.  After that Detroit comes to the Bay Area then they finish off in what should be a meaningless game in Arizona.  That may look like a preseason game.  Don’t worry, I will continue my game recaps for the remainder of the season.  Even though the only thing to root for is that no one gets injured.