Niner Noise
FanSided

Rams vs 49ers: Grading San Francisco’s Week 3 efforts

By Logan Stanley

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Special teams

The most uneven performing members for the 49ers against the Rams. Let’s quickly summarize their play:

  • Kicker Robbie Gould was perfect from field goals, making ones from 36 yards and 48 yards.
  • The punt team recovered a muffed punt from Tavon Austin.
  • Victor Bolden forced a fumble at a key time on a kickoff to keep the 49ers in the game.
  • Gould’s onside kick actually worked, and the 49ers got the ball back with less than two minutes left to win the game.

But the only reason there needed to be an onside kick was because Gould missed a PAT in the fourth quarter. The what-if game is dangerous to play, but what IF Gould makes that PAT? That’s ultimately holding back an otherwise great game from this unit.

Grade: B-

Coaching

Through the first two games, it was starting to become a question of whether Kyle Shanahan had finally met an offense he could’t work with. The 49ers failed to reach the end zone in eight quarters of game action, and the team appeared to be sluggish on offense.

While it’s only one game, I think we can answer that question with a no. The 49ers offense showed signs of life for the first time this season, out-gaining the Rams 421 yards to 418 yards. In just four quarters of play, the 49ers scored five touchdowns after not scoring any the first two games.

For his offensive game plan, Shanahan gets an A. This game is based on wins and losses, and Shanahan is winless as a head coach. That’s what determines success in this league, and right now, the 49ers haven’t experienced success as they sit at 0-3 to start the season.

Grade: B+

Next: Sports Illustrated lists 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin one of the most fit athletes in the NFL

So, with the quarter mark of the season fast approaching, the San Francisco 49ers have yet to win a football game. They’ll look to change that when they head to Arizona on October 1 to take on the Cardinals in Week 4.

*Note: all statistics gathered from ESPN.