49ers get good game grades from complete win over Falcons

49ers Special Teams and Coaching vs. Falcons

Special Teams

The Niners special teams were horrendous again.

For the second time in three weeks, turnovers in the return game coupled with failures in punting and return coverage left San Francisco behind the 8-ball in the third phase of the game. It cost the 49ers a few weeks ago against the Seattle Seahawks, and luckily, it didn’t against Atlanta.

Despite JaMycal Hasty’s fumbled kickoff return right out of the gate, poor kick coverage and short punts and kickoffs.

But legitimate contenders, which the 49ers aspire to be, do not lose points, possessions, or advantages because of special teams.

It is something that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

Grade: F

Coaching

The Niners came into this game knowing they were the better team, and despite special teams threatening the affair, they did what they needed to do.

Kyle Shanahan’s offensive plan was electric and efficient, although as the fourth quarter came around, it became stagnant, although this didn’t impact the outcome of the game.

Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans had the perfect calls on the goal line and put his players, for the most part, in position to succeed.

Players have to make plays, and San Francisco’s coaches put their players in positions to make those plays.

Grade: A-