5 biggest blunders from SF 49ers loss vs. Washington

No. 1: SF 49ers not fielding a quality offensive line

It’s easy to pile on Nick Mullens for being the prime reason why the Niners lost in Week 14. But his life wasn’t made easier by his offensive line.

The stats alone tell the story. Mullens was sacked four times, was hit 12 times and was under regular pressure from a Washington defensive front built similarly to how San Francisco’s own defensive line should be minus all its injuries and attrition.

As such, plays like this have become commonplace this season:

Left guard Laken Tomlinson lost protection against EDGE Montez Sweat, while right tackle Mike McGlinchey had no business containing Chase Young.

And Mullens made it that much worse by missing two open receivers in front of him or at least throwing the ball away to save both himself and a few extra yards on the third-down play.

Simply stated: SF 49ers O-line < Washington D-line.

One could make the argument the Niners should look at addressing their O-line before anything else this offseason, because so much of what they want to do hinders on the ability to both pass and run block.

Neither have been working out particularly well this season, especially the former.

Unfortunately, this blunder has been a season-long one, and it’s going to be games like Week 14 revealing why the O-line needs so much attention this offseason.