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49ers vs. Colts: Grading San Francisco’s efforts

By Logan Stanley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers watches the action during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers watches the action during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Special teams

Maybe the best unit on the entire team, the special teams for the 49ers had another impressive game. Punter Bradley Pinion booted the ball six times at an average of 45.7 yards per kick, with a long of 55 yards.

Kicker Robbie Gould was perfect — and instrumental — for the game. Gould nailed field goals of 28 yards, 43 yards and 40 yards, and was perfect on extra-points going 2-2. Victor Bolden had a long of 28 yards for one kickoff return, and averaged 14.8 yards per return.

Grade: A

Coaching

No matter which way it’s dissected, the bottom line is that Kyle Shanahan is winless as head coach of the 49ers. Granted, the personnel Shanahan’s operating with isn’t the best. But, San Francisco has been in close in these games and their sloppiness is dooming them.

The 49ers lead the league in penalties, and were penalized for a total of 10 times in the loss against the Colts. Shanahan has got to do something to get that issue under control. And why wasn’t Garçon featured more heavily after the first drive? That was a game plan mishap on Shanahan’s part.

Grade: C-

Next: 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster on pace to play in Week 6 vs. Redskins

So it’s going to be the midway of point of October by the time San Francisco plays their next game, and the team has yet to win a game. They’ll look to change that when they head to the East Coast to face the Washington Redskins in Week 6.