3 positive takeaways from 49ers tough Week 15 loss to Falcons
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers coughed up an ugly loss to the lowly Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, yet there are a number of positive takeaways Kyle Shanahan and Co. can use moving forward.
In many ways, the San Francisco 49ers should be somewhat embarrassed by their 29-22 Week 15 home loss to the previously four-win Atlanta Falcons.
The Niners entered the contest as double-digit favorites, according to the Action Network, were just coming off a crucial and emotional road win over the high-powered New Orleans Saints and were poised to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2013 if they could pull off the win.
Instead, San Francisco allowed Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones to dominate the game, coming away with two crucial touchdowns, including the game winner just before time expired, sending the 49ers to a 11-3 record and pushing the team back down to the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
True, the Niners still managed to clinch a playoff berth despite the loss. The Los Angeles Rams’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys gave head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad a postseason spot, although few on San Francisco’s roster were thrilled about the news in the aftermath of Sunday’s contest at Levi’s Stadium.
But while the loss stings and also throws a proverbial “monkey wrench” into the 49ers’ postseason aspirations, as far as seeding goes, there are some positive takeaways from the contest.
Yes, there are even good things to be had by the way of a defeat.
In spite of losing on Sunday, the Niners can feel pretty good about these positive aspects from Sunday’s game and what they mean going forward.