The 49ers had every opportunity to win Week 3 against the Broncos, but they instead lost 11-10. Niner Noise details grades from the disappointing loss.
A record of 1-1, first in the NFC West. A chance for the San Francisco 49ers to set this new phase of the season, the one headed by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Bright lights of Sunday Night Football at Empower Field at Mile High against the Denver Broncos and, more specifically, against an old nemesis in former Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson.
And, well, two-thirds of the team showed up.
By the time 60 minutes were in the books, the Niners defense had done its job on more than one occasion. Yet Garoppolo and the offense completely faltered, then faltered again.
All the way to a rare 11-10 defeat at the hands of an inferior Broncos team.
Time after time, San Francisco’s offense struggled to convert on third downs, and it missed many a prime opportunity to score. And while the 49ers defense had Denver’s offense under siege the entire game, a safety by Jimmy G stepping out the back of the end zone proved to be the difference in a game that was defined by its failures and its incompetency rather than anything particularly interesting.
Here are the grades from the putrid (offensive) display, and it’ll be hard to mask those with otherwise impressive grades from the defensive and special teams groups.
49ers Offensive Grades vs. Broncos
Quarterbacks
If there ever was a display of why the Niners chose to move off Jimmy Garoppolo and start now-injured quarterback Trey Lance, it would be this game.
San Francisco’s quarterbacking attack was putrid. Garoppolo missed open receivers for touchdowns that could have ended the game while it was early, he again threw into areas tightly covered with poor results, he was high and late, low and behind, he threw one interception at a terrible time, took an unacceptable sack in the final drive, and stepped out the back of the end zone for a safety in a game decided by a single point.
It was flatly pathetic, and the kicker is that there is no discernible upside from Garoppolo’s play.
Grade: F
Running Backs
It’s hard to run when the defense is fully committed to stopping the run, and Denver made this the case by loading five defensive linemen in the box.
The 49ers’ tailbacks tried, and they succeeded for the most part. They carried the ball 13 times for 82 yards and, beyond Jeff Wilson Jr.’s fumble that put an end to a game, the Niners were likely going to live or die by the passing game anyway.
Grade: C-
Wide Receivers
The same issue for the receivers. It’s hard to receive passes that are thrown with great inaccuracy. That said, San Francisco’s main cohort of receivers was able to get over 100 yards with a touchdown, even in the sub-par situation. The other receivers were situationally fine.
Although Deebo Samuel probably wanted Garoppolo to either lead him for a touchdown instead of just a 32-yard gain. Or hit him when he was uncovered and wide open for what would have been a walk-in touchdown, too.
Grade: B-
Tight Ends
George Kittle was keyed in the entire game, making his production very muted. Other than him, the tight ends were silent. Just 28 yards from the offense’s arguably best player, not good enough.
Grade: D+
Offensive Line
The Broncos defense was strong at the line, which came in part from their schematic usage and from their dominance of the 49ers’ offensive line. There was a solid stream of pressure that Garoppolo had to deal with, something that didn’t help his already poor performance.
Grade: D-
49ers Defensive Grades vs. Broncos
Defensive Line
The Broncos averaged 3.1 yards per carry, and Russell Wilson was sacked four times with the Niners also gaining nine quarterback hits and plenty of pressures. This was a superb performance by an elite unit. There’s nothing that could be improved beyond a couple of missed tackles against Wilson, an inevitability against the talented and elusive QB.
Grade: A+
Linebackers
Wilson does not attack the middle of the field, leaving the linebackers without much to do in the passing game. They were strong in the run game, if not unspectacular. A good showing from a talented bunch, although losing Azeez Al-Shaair to a potential MCL sprain isn’t good news.
Grade: B+
Secondary
Wilson likes to throw the ball deep. He likes to attack defenses. There was precious little to attack, though.
The 49ers secondary was swarming, with the corners sticky in coverage and the safeties, especially Talanoa Hufanga, were flying in the run game and pass game.
Great game from the secondary.
Grade: A
49ers Special Teams and Coaching Grades vs. Broncos
Special Teams
Special teams nearly saved San Francisco. It gave the 49ers precious yards in a game where yards were hard to come by, and it was a welcome sight from a unit that struggled for several years. Ray-Ray McCloud’s fumble was worrisome but was luckily recovered.
Grade: B+
Coaching
What can a coach do when execution is simply not there? DeMeco Ryans was incredible again, and Kyle Shanahan had the offense with chances, but it didn’t work out. That doesn’t absolve him of the blame, but this game rests in the hands of a couple of players who simply couldn’t do what they needed to do.
Grade: B-
The 49ers will try to recover against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams next Monday.