49ers game grades, analysis from Week 15 trap loss to Falcons

Offensive Grades

Interestingly enough, the 49ers ended up outgaining the Falcons 313 total net yards to 290. Kyle Shanahan’s offense averaged 5.5 yards per play, compared to Atlanta’s 4.9, and the Niners seemed to be in position to pull off the win despite not firing on all cylinders.

A major caveat, however, was San Francisco going just 4-of-12 on third-down attempts. Third down has been a major area of success for the 49ers this season, but it wasn’t on Sunday.

Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t terrible, and it’s hardly on his shoulders the 49ers lost this contest. As far as the numbers went, Jimmy G was 22-of-34 for 200 yards with a touchdown and a passer rating of 90.3.

There were a few of those oh-so-questionable throws Garoppolo has made over the course of the season, but none found their way into the arms of opposing defenders.

“I think, starting with myself, I need to be better,” Garoppolo added after the game. “I think a lot of guys in the locker room have that mindset.”

Garoppolo will need to have that mindset, even if he didn’t get the help from a number of his players on the field.

No one single running back took over the ground game on Sunday, although Raheem Mostert continues to make a claim for more touches. He finished with a team-high 54 yards on 14 carries, scoring San Francisco’s lone rushing touchdown:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1206335148213460992

One figured a revenge game was in order for former Falcons running back Tevin Coleman. And while he did manage 40 rush yards on four carries, 37 of those came on one attempt. Outside of that, he was bottled up much like he’s been for the better part of the second half of the season.

Fellow running back Matt Breida wasn’t much of a factor after missing multiple games with an ankle injury, although the 49ers managed 120 net yards on the ground, making up for the lack of individual production.

At least fullback Kyle Juszczyk found the end zone, though.

At halftime, only wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders had a catch out of this crop, and it was for a mere five yards.

Sanders would finish with two catches for nine yards, while rookie Deebo Samuel added a 29-yard catch and run on his only reception. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne had just one grab, too, as the Niners wideouts made almost zero impact after putting on a show in New Orleans against the Saints just over a week ago.

Under most circumstances, a 134-yard receiving effort from tight end George Kittle would be a cause for celebration and an easy game grade. Especially considering the number gave Kittle the record for most receiving yards by a tight end over the first three years of his career, besting Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.

But Kittle also coughed up a costly fumble late in the fourth quarter on a 3rd-and-4 play where he could have simply reached for the first down.

“Just dropped it,” Kittle said of the play. “I tried to switch hands with it, so I could get a stiff-arm in. It didn’t work out well for me.”

Instead of converting the third down with the lead and less than two minutes in regulation, the 49ers were forced to settle for a field goal, allowing the Falcons to regain possession and eventually score the game-winning touchdown with seconds remaining. The significance of Kittle’s fumble knocks his grade down a lot.

It wasn’t exactly a pretty day for the 49ers offensive line, although the numbers won’t necessarily reflect it.

Atlanta was regularly able to pressure Garoppolo, despite him only taking one official sack, especially defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who was exceptional in the middle. Sunday also marked the first start for fill-in center Ben Garland, who takes the place of the injured Weston Richburg, who’s out for the year with a knee injury.

Garland handled himself well, mostly, but some of the protections were missed. One can only wonder if Garland is struggling to pick those up still, as that aspect was one of extreme importance for Richburg.