setting up the SF game

Is the 49ers loss a cause for any concern?

Frank Schwab

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-is-the-49-ers-loss-a-cause-for-any-concern-044632172.html

There aren’t many San Francisco 49ers doubters left, but they were validated Sunday.

The Atlanta Falcons were 4-9 before a date at San Francisco. The 49ers were one of two 11-2 teams in the NFL. And the Falcons won.

Atlanta barely got a game-winning touchdown with two seconds left, but it wasn’t a fluky win. Led by the incomparable Julio Jones’ 134 yards, the Falcons played with the 49ers the entire game. The stats were about even. Atlanta, which was 1-7 at Halloween, didn’t back down.

Does losing at home to a moribund Falcons team expose the 49ers? Probably not, though it is a bit concerning.

The 49ers had a good excuse for being a bit flat. They played a 60-minute game at the Baltimore Ravens two weeks ago, losing on a field goal as time expired. Then they went back on the road, played another 60-minute game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14, and won on the final play. That’s a tough stretch. That alone will take something out of a team, and it’s human nature to let down a bit. People will believe because the 49ers are professionals they should be at the same emotional level for every game, but it’s understandable why they would relax a bit against a Falcons team everyone figured they’d beat. It happens.

Yet, maybe there are some things that could be negatives the rest of the way.

Jones’ big game was the second straight huge performance in a row by a No. 1 receiver against the 49ers. New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas also had a big game against San Francisco in Week 14. The 49ers clearly missed cornerback Richard Sherman, who was out with a hamstring injury. Sherman could miss the rest of the regular season. That’s a concern, at least until Sherman gets back.

The lack of distribution on offense Sunday was also odd. George Kittle had 13 catches for 134 yards. Everyone else had nine catches for 66 yards combined. And 29 of those yards came on Deebo Samuel’s only catch. No other 49ers player had more than 11 yards receiving. That hasn’t been a glaring problem, though the 49ers aren’t great at receiver. Kittle is perhaps the best tight end in football, but the 49ers are going to need more than him. there’s no guarantee that will happen with this receiving corps.

One bad loss doesn’t change much for the 49ers. They can win the NFC West with two more wins, including one at Seattle in Week 17. They still have a good shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC. In the big picture, the loss against the Falcons might not mean much at all. But the 49ers won’t want to have another performance like that for the rest of the season.

– #LARvsSF
– #HOUvsTB
– #BALvsCLE

We're breaking down these games in a round of #MadMinute! pic.twitter.com/iQ9ZpKWUDT

— GMFB (@gmfb) December 20, 2019

Opposing View: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan knows Rams will adjust

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/opposing-view-rams-49ers-kyle-shanahan

A few uncharacteristic performances by the Rams hasn’t changed 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s opinion of the team heading into Saturday’s game at Levi’s Stadium.

“I thought they were pretty good then and I see them pretty similar now,” Shanahan told Los Angeles reporters on a conference call this week. “I think they’ve been one of the better teams here over the last month. I thought they were playing pretty good when we played them last time.”

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The last time was Week 6, a 20-7 win for San Francisco at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, featured two different teams in terms of personnel.

L.A. played without starting running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Clay Matthews, who were sidelined by injuries. Its offensive line has since lost three starters to injury.

Its secondary has changed due to injuries and trades as well. Cornerback Aqib Talib, who didn’t play against the 49ers because of a rib injury, was placed on injured reserve and later traded to the Dolphins. Cornerback Marcus Peters was traded to the Ravens, helping pave the way for a trade with the Jaguars for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Safety John Johnson III was placed on injured reserve. Fourth-year cornerback Troy Hill and rookie safety Taylor Rapp have emerged as starters.

The 49ers, meanwhile, acquired wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders the same day the Rams acquired Ramsey.

“I know they added Jalen, I know they got Clay back, which helps a ton,” Shanahan said. “I think their defense – you take away a couple games this year, the Baltimore game and stuff or maybe Tampa, where it statistically got out of hand and they’re without a doubt a top-five defense.”

Additionally, after the seven-point output against the Niners, the Rams averaged 22.4 points per game over their next eight games. Combined with the Rams’ improvements on defense, Shanahan isn’t going to underestimate them.

“That’s why I think if they can find a way to get into the playoffs, they’re going to be as scary as any team,” Shanahan said.

Beyond the new additions and returnees, there’s also the fact that Los Angeles has never lost two games in a season to a division opponent in the McVay era.

“I mean Sean is as good as it gets. Sean’s one of the top coaches in this league – does a hell of a job,” Shanahan said. “… Sean’s a good coach and he’s got a real good team. So, it doesn’t surprise me the stats you just said, but I know Sean’s always going to give them the best chance.”