Special teams
It was an uneventful day for the 49ers special teams. They punted 4 times with an average of 40.7 yards per punt, while Robbie Gould nailed a 44-yard field goal (for the only points on the board). It was all touchbacks on kickoffs for the Panthers, and Carolina averaged 2.3 yards per punt return. A very efficient game from this unit.
Grade: A
Coaching
In his first game as a head coach, Shanahan rolled the dice by going for it on fourth down four separate times. Unfortunately for the rookie coach, it didn’t pay off, with San Francisco only finishing just 1-4 on fourth down attempts.
Penalties were again an issue for the 49ers, and the offense sputtered under Shanahan’s play-calling. San Francisco was only able to generate 217 yards of total offense. Just not an overall good look from Shanahan in his first outing.
Nearly everything on offense has been bad in Kyle Shanahan's #49ers debut. Clock management, drops, offensive line issues. Ugly
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) September 10, 2017
Grade: C-
Next: Anatomy of a 49ers scoring play: The Yankee concept
Well, after all the talk about the 49ers rebuild this offseason, one thing is evident after Week One against the Panthers — this thing is just getting started. Next week, San Francisco looks to get back on track next week as they head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.