Defensive line
After a stellar outing versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, the defensive line for the 49ers was poor against the Rams in Week 3. Gurley had an absolute field day, running the ball 28 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, one of those touchdowns was due to Hoyer’s interception being brought back to the 49ers 1-yard line.
It was too easy for Gurley.
For Goff, it was far too easy as well. There was very, very little quarterback pressure on the day. So little, the 49ers registered zero sacks all game. A clean pocket allowed for Goff to complete 78% of his passes while throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Grade: F
Linebackers
Until Reuben Foster comes back, this section will always be based heavily around NaVorro Bowman. The 29-year-old Bowman is just about the only playmaker the team has left at the position. Against the Rams, he didn’t show that:
This has not been Bowman's best night.
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) September 22, 2017
NaVorro Bowman has missed three tackles in this game. He's washed up.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) September 22, 2017
This game's not going into the NaVorro Bowman highlight reel.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 22, 2017
It showed up on the stat sheet too, as Bowman only recorded 4 total tackles. Ray-Ray Armstrong led 49ers linebackers with six total tackles, who as a unit were topped by three members from the secondary in the tackling department (safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt and cornerback K’Wuan Williams led the way).
Not to mention Gurley experienced little trouble in the flat, notching five receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown. It was not a good showing from the linebackers.
Grade: D-
Secondary
It’s hard deciding what to pinpoint when a defense gives up 41 points. But the secondary for the 49ers was vividly bad in this game. At one point in the second half, Goff was seriously dealing against San Francisco and their pass defense:
Jared Goff is 11-for-11 for 155 yards and 2 TD in the 2nd half
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 22, 2017
It was easily Goff’s best game as a pro, who finished with a 148.5 rating. Specifically in the secondary, cornerback Rashard Robinson struggled heavily.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Robinson heading into this season, but his play has yet to justify any of the talk. Whether it was a penalty or giving up a completion, things did not go Robinson’s way against the Rams:
A really rough night for Rashard Robinson. #49ers
— Kevin Lynch (@klynch49) September 22, 2017
#49ers CB Rashard Robinson was targeted 8 times. 5 were completions totaling 46 yards. 1 completion resulted in 1st down...another for TD.
— Ryan Sakamoto (@BEASTwriter) September 19, 2017
That's a hat trick for Rashard Robinson tonight. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) September 22, 2017
The whole group did not play that well either, as both wide receivers Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins had big days. Woods had 108 yards on six receptions while Watkins scored two touchdowns on six receptions for 106 yards.