Niner Noise
FanSided

Analyzing the 49ers’ 2018 season finale vs. the Rams

By Jeremy Wohlfart

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams is unable to defend against a touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Nickell Robey-Coleman #23 of the Los Angeles Rams is unable to defend against a touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

What worked

George Kittle

In all this, it’s sort of hard not to feel a little bad for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, who broke the record for most receiving yards in a season for a tight end, only to lose it in 55 minutes.

Any sympathy for him is quickly blotted out, however, by excitement for Kittle who, in only his second year, has arrived as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL despite having no less than three different quarterbacks throw to him.

Kittle would catch nine passes for 149 yards and a touchdown and finished the season with 88 catches for 1,377 yards and five touchdowns for the year. It was clear that the team was trying to feed him the ball, as he had a season-high 14 targets.

A great season, in fact the greatest season ever enjoyed by a man at his position.

Alfred Morris

Hey, anyone remember this guy?

Running back Alfred Morris was lost in the shuffle when rookie tailback Jeff Wilson burst onto the scene, but Morris finished the season for the 49ers at running back and made it count.

Morris had by far his best game as a Niner, running for 111 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.

It’s unclear if Morris has a future as a backup for the 49ers, but he definitely gave them something to consider when it comes to shaping the roster for next season.

Nick Mullens (in the second half)

Quarterback Nick Mullens overall was poor overall in the season finale, but the second-year pro deserves some credit for not falling apart after a rough start.

Mullens finished the season going 23-of-33 passing, 282 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. This has an asterisk next to it because a lot of it was due to the Rams taking the foot off the gas when the game was won, but Mullens recovered enough to stay on the field and see out the season.

He also successfully helped Kittle to his record in style. His third touchdown pass sealed the record for the tight end.