49ers vs. Seahawks: Position grades from San Francisco’s blowout loss

Special Teams and Coaching

Special Teams

Rookie wide receiver Richie James was busy in the return game, but not necessarily in a good way. James did have a 42-yard kick return that jump-started a touchdown drive for San Francisco, but he earlier muffed a punt that gave Seattle an easy scoring chance. James was eventually replaced by Taylor at punt returner. Kicker Robbie Gould converted one field goal and one extra point, while punter Bradley Pinion had a mediocre day. The 49ers’ coverage team also allowed a would-be touchdown return to Lockett if not for Tartt’s effort to run down the speedy returner.

Grade: D+

Coaching

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan called an offensive game plan that resulted in a lot of yards, but not a lot of points. Shanahan was forced to improvise due to the team’s lackluster rushing attack and injuries to both of San Francisco’s running backs, but by the time changes were made, the game was already out of hand. Again, the 49ers failed to produce on second-and-long when they ran the ball, which continues to be one of Shanahan’s blind spots as an offensive play-caller. No one can accuse Shanahan and the 49ers of intentionally tanking this season, as the fired-up coach was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after getting a bit too fired up at an official late in the game.

On the defensive side of the ball, there isn’t much positive to say about 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. While Saleh’s excuse is San Francisco’s roster doesn’t have the personnel needed to run his preferred defensive system, the young DC is either unable or unwilling to scheme pressure against opposing quarterbacks, and the 49ers suffer because of his deficiency. Saleh hasn’t proven to be a good talent evaluator, as opposing offenses continue to find and target weak links in the Niners’ defense. If the 49ers’ defensive woes extend to the end of the season, Saleh should be looking for a new job in January.

Grade: D

In Week 14, the San Francisco 49ers host the 6-6 Denver Broncos, who are a game behind the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC’s final wild-card spot.