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

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and team celebrate the fourth quarter touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and team celebrate the fourth quarter touchdown over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Shanahan, Matt Ryan, 49ers, Falcons
Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Special Teams and Coaching Grades

As Jimmy Garoppolo pointed out, there were a lot of little mistakes which, when added up, ultimately amounted to the 49ers losing their Week 15 matchup.

Some of those fall in the coaching department, while others took place on special teams.

B+. . . . SPECIAL TEAMS

A missed extra point from kicker Robbie Gould won’t help fans understand why the Niners inked the veteran to a lofty four-year, $19 million deal last offseason.

Gould hit all three of his field-goal tries, yes. But the extra-point miss won’t quell questions about Gould’s reliability this season.

But the grade is saved somewhat by No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley‘s forced fumble, which was recovered by Kyle Juszczyk. San Francisco scored points off that turnover, which was a major positive.

D-. . . . COACHING

Kyle Shanahan may have said everything to the contrary after San Francisco’s emotional back-and-forth Week 14 win over the Saints, particularly in regards to preparing his team for what was shaping up for a letdown trap game.

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But it was impossible to not notice just how lethargic many of the Niners’ efforts were against Atlanta. Even Jimmy Garoppolo and Fred Warner both commented on the need to have more “juice” in the game.

While one can credit Shanahan for the 49ers’ first scoring drive of the game, which extended over two quarters and went for 88 yards on 21 plays, spanning nearly 11 minutes, the overall effort left a lot to be desired.

Yet the bigger issue was, by far, the inability to contain Julio Jones.

Jones, easily Atlanta’s biggest offensive threat, had his way with San Francisco’s defense, being targeted 20 times, hauling in 13 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner just before time expired.

Whatever coordinator Robert Saleh’s plan was for defending Jones, it didn’t work. The 49ers should have put two or even three defenders in Jones’ back pocket, forcing Matt Ryan and the Falcons to find other offensive options.

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Atlanta didn’t have to, though, as Jones essentially took over the game, sending the Niners to their third loss of the season as a result.