Biggest studs, duds from 49ers lopsided win over Panthers

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Robbie Gould, C.J. Henderson, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers

San Francisco 49ers place kicker Robbie Gould (9) has his field-goal attempt blocked by Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson (24) Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers dud: Special teams

A year ago, this would have been commonplace to point out the Niners’ special teams unit as a problem. And, as fans could recall, there’d frequently be at least one play where this third phase would commit a costly mistake.

For the most part this season, San Francisco has experienced better play here, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday.

The Panthers blocked a field goal by Robbie Gould, which won’t help the 49ers special teams’ metrics, and Carolina kick-return specialist Raheem Blackshear netted 200 return yards and averaged 28.6 yards per return, including one that went for 45 yards and another that went 48.

Gould was involved in two of those tackles, which was quite the development, and he even suffered a leg injury on one of them that forced him out of the game.

And, no, punter Mitch Wishnowsky isn’t an answer when it comes to attempting field goals. He missed one try badly.

Not particularly a great day for this group.