There are losses, after which there are video games that make you query every little thing.
The 49ers’ loss final week to the Vikings was only a loss. Minnesota performed nice, the Niners have bother towards that defensive scheme. The loss wasn’t good, nevertheless it wasn’t the tip of the world, both.
Sunday may need caused that finish of the world.
What else would you name a collapse of that magnitude?
The Niners choked away a 14-point second-half lead and 10-point fourth-quarter result in lose, in regulation, to the Rams and fall to 1-2 on the season.
And should you’re so inclined, listed here are three studs and three duds from the sport. (I think about the latter shall be learn first.)
Studs
Jauan Jennings
» You couldn’t ask for something extra from the 49ers’ No. 3 vast receiver. With Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out and the Rams’ focus within the cross recreation, rightly, on Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings wanted to step up.
I’d say that two touchdowns, massive first downs, and wonderful blocking, all within the first quarter, qualify as stepping up.
He ended the sport with three touchdowns, on 11 receptions for 175 yards. It was the sport of his life, and he would have been the MVP of the Tremendous Bowl this previous February.
And once more, it was in useless.
Brock Purdy
» Sure, the Niners collapsed, however you’d be exhausting pressed to pin this loss on the Niners’ quarterback, who accomplished 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and people three aforementioned touchdowns.
Purdy was in full management of the Niners’ offense, posting a 19.2 complete EPA and a 77.6 QBR score. That’s high-level play.
He additionally ran for 41 yards on 10 carries and prolonged performs like prime Russell Wilson.
Had Ronnie Bell caught that fourth-quarter cross, we’d be having a really totally different dialog about this crew. Alas, he didn’t, however don’t faux the quarterback is at fault after delivering an ideal throw to the receiver.
Nick Bosa
» The second-best defensive finish in Sunday’s recreation was Sam Okuayinou.
He’s a observe squad participant who was known as up for the sport and performed restricted snaps.
So no, Nick Bosa didn’t get a lot assist towards the Rams.
However he nonetheless made an impression, persistently blowing up performs within the backfield, giving the Niners’ protection an opportunity Sunday.
The stat sheet gained’t present it, however he had an amazing recreation.
DUDS
De’Vondre Campbell
» Was attacked repeatedly and once more, with the most important exploitation approaching the game-changing defensive play, when Matt Stafford threw to Colby Parkinson down the fitting sideline, figuring out that Campbell was in one-on-one protection and wouldn’t stand an opportunity of defending it.
He was proper. In spite of everything, he had burned Campbell within the crimson zone for a landing cross earlier within the recreation.
Two performs after the PI, the Rams kicked a game-winning area objective.
Campbell has struggled mightily to this point this season, and the Niners don’t have an obvious wholesome substitute on the roster.
However till the Niners teaching employees decides to roll the cube with another person, count on these performs to grow to be commonplace.
Ronnie Bell
» Bell had two passes thrown to him on Sunday.
Each clanked off his palms in an virtually cartoonish trend.
The primary wasn’t a game-changer. Drops occur. (Particularly with Bell.)
The second misplaced the 49ers the sport. There’s no sugar-coating it.
On a second-and-7 from their very own 43-yard line, in a tied recreation with 1:08 to play, Brock Purdy threw an ideal cross to Bell simply exterior the fitting numbers on the sector on the Los Angeles 35-yard line.
The cross hit Bell, who was going through the quarterback, in each palms, proper in entrance of his face.
CLANK.
Had he caught the cross, the Niners would have been in area objective vary and certain would have gained just a few snaps later.
As a substitute, Purdy was sacked on the following third-down play, as middle Jake Brendel was pushed onto his rear (once more), and the Niners’ quarterback couldn’t escape the stress. The Niners’ punt was returned to the 50-yard line, after which Campbell occurred.
Charvarius Ward
» His tackling within the run recreation has been extraordinarily suspect, and opposing groups have figured it out, going proper at him, significantly in massive moments.
They’re now attacking Ward within the passing recreation, too. Ward’s protection has been something however elite within the final two video games, and his being burned by Tutu Atwell late within the fourth quarter on Sunday, establishing the game-tying landing, confirmed that the Rams had been ready for the fitting second to burn him.
Between Campbell and Ward, Sunday, Rams coach Sean McVay dialed up some diabolical performs to assault two weak hyperlinks at simply the fitting time.
Evil genius stuff.
Initially Printed: September 22, 2024 at 5:04 p.m.
