SF 49ers position grades, analysis from disgusting loss to Seattle Seahawks

The SF 49ers played a dud against the Seahawks, getting decimated 37-27. Niner Noise hands out an ugly report card.

The LA Rams had just lost to the Miami Dolphins, the Arizona Cardinals were on a bye, and the Green Bay Packers, the SF 49ers‘ upcoming opponent, had lost to the Minnesota Vikings where their run defense was exposed. This Week 8 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks was the Niners’ chance to rewrite their season narrative and jump right back into the playoff picture for real.

So naturally, with the season functionally on the line, the SF 49ers choked.

The defense came out hot, stifling the Seahawks offense early, but it was clearly a manufactured opposition. Lacking the edge rushers from last year, there was a creeping sense San Francisco’s offense needed to take advantage before Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson showcased his MVP self.

It didn’t.

Brutal play-calling from head coach Kyle Shanahan, a mind-boggling interception from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and following a horrendous tackling performance on a simple in-route to Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, the Niners somehow were down 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The second half started with a gritty drive for a touchdown. And after that, if you stopped paying attention, good for you. The Seahawks offense started rolling, the SF 49ers offense forgot what it meant to move the ball down the field, and the game turned into a nightmare reminiscent of post-Jim Harbaugh, pre-Shanahan years when Seattle had its way with the Niners.

However, garbage time with No. 2 quarterback Nick Mullens put up a plethora of stats, so those have to be kept into consideration, especially for players whose impact was entirely dependent on the performance of the quarterback.

So some of these grades might look a little better than you expect. Context is key.