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Biggest winners, losers from 49ers Week 13 loss vs. Ravens

By Peter Panacy

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field following the 49ers 201-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field following the 49ers 201-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Loser: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

It’s hard to totally pin the 49ers’ Week 13 loss squarely on the shoulders of Kyle Shanahan. He does, however, have a key role in the eventual outcome.

Shanahan had two portions of the game where his play calling was questionable. In the waning seconds of the first quarter, he appeared content running down the clock, despite having timeouts and being in Baltimore territory, only to settle for a field-goal try by kicker Robbie Gould. Gould’s attempt was tipped and fell short, which kept the game at 17-14 in favor of the Ravens.

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While settling for the attempt might have been the initial plan all along, it would have been nice to see the offense showcase a bit more urgency in that situation, perhaps being afforded to take a shot or two towards the end zone.

That situation was somewhat questionable, although Shanahan’s decision to pass on a crucial fourth-down try later in the fourth quarter is harder to digest.

Facing 4th-and-1 on the Ravens 35-yard line, Shanahan called for Garoppolo to pass in the direction of tight end George Kittle, only to see the attempt batted down at the line of scrimmage. Baltimore would then chew up 6:28 of game clock after the turnover on downs, winning the game on Justin Tucker’s field goal.

Shanahan later defended his decision, citing the Ravens trying to take away the short-run play. But considering how much success Raheem Mostert and the 49ers offense was having on the ground, the end result has to be seen as a head scratcher.

Next. Position grades, analysis from 49ers' nail-biting loss to Ravens. dark

In the grand scheme of things, if it had worked, Shanahan would be hailed as a genius. But wins and losses are often determined by the closest of margins, and this was a prime example.

It didn’t go Shanahan’s way.