49ers vs. Seahawks: The good, bad and ugly from San Francisco in Week 2
By Peter Panacy
The Bad
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has all kinds of problems to figure out on offense. This group has now yet to score a touchdown in two consecutive games.
Granted, the Niners have faced two tough defenses in Carolina and Seattle. So there’s that to consider. Yet there have been more than a few mistakes and miscues from San Francisco’s 2017 efforts so far.
San Francisco 49ers
Looking at the 2-of-12 third-down conversion rate, it’s not hard to figure out the 49ers are nowhere close to the kind of offensive proficiency Shanahan is known for.
Wide Receiver Marquise Goodwin
Despite a strong training camp and preseason, we have yet to see wide receiver Marquise Goodwin make a serious impact in 2017.
Goodwin managed three receptions for just 26 yards, but the biggest down play was a critical dropped pass on a 2nd-and-6 play at the Seahawks 16-yard line in the fourth quarter.
The wide receiver was open and merely turned his head before making the catch. Had he done so, there’s a good chance he would have reached the end zone, putting the Niners up 13-6 and possibly changing the outcome of the game.
Instead, San Francisco settled for a field goal, and the drop marks the second game in a row in which Goodwin has dropped a pass in a key moment.
49ers Red-Zone Appearances
The Niners aren’t going to be a high-profile offensive team this season. Going up against a tough Seahawks defense in Seattle means Shanahan’s offense has to take advantage of every opportunity it’s presented.
In total, the 49ers saw the red zone three times and couldn’t find end-zone pay dirt in any trip here.
The Goodwin drop was part of the problem, but setting for field goals isn’t something that’s going to put San Francisco in a good position to win games.
Aside from Carlos Hyde and Matt Breida, the vast majority of the Niners offense was ineffective. Those red-zone woes only highlight what we already know.
Safety Eric Reid’s Injury
The 49ers could have suffered a potentially serious injury to strong safety Eric Reid, who was having a solid game before injuring his left leg on a non-contact play in the first half:
Reid was favoring his leg but managed to come back in the game later before being forced to leave again, aggravating it on another non-contact play.
According to Jennifer Lee Chan of Niners Nation, Reid’s cleat got caught in the turf, and there’s an MRI scheduled for this week.
Reid has been solid in his move to free safety this season, and any absence is one the Niners can’t afford to have on a short week.