49ers grades, analysis from injury-influenced Week 6 loss to Falcons

49ers special teams, coaching grades vs. Falcons

Whatever the game plan for Kyle Shanahan was for Week 6, it didn’t work. And with the understanding that San Francisco’s defense was going to be so shorthanded, Shanahan needed to make sure his offense was going to perform at a solid level against an Atlanta defense that wasn’t exactly known for being potent entering the game.

Special teams

Fortunately, special teams didn’t prove to be much of an X-factor for either team, although Atlanta’s deep punt late in the fourth quarter ensured the 49ers would struggle to get back into contention.

After all, 99-yard drives are tough.

Mitch Wishnowsky averaged 52.7 yards per punt, yet the Falcons averaged 24 yards per return.

Ray-Ray McCloud, meanwhile, had an exciting 35-yard punt return, too.

Grade: C

Coaching

Shanahan generally lacked the desperation needed to overcome that 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Want your voice heard? Join the Niner Noise team!

Write for us!

Calling a handoff at one point with that deficit was surely interesting, especially with the clock churning down toward zero in the final frame.

That might not have been the worst gaffe, though, as Shanahan’s overall game plan of frequent “run, run, pass” sets weren’t particularly effective either. It’ll be interesting to see how many drives started that way, but the fact the Niners went 3-and-out on both their opening first- and third-quarter drives isn’t convincing.

Shanahan was outcoached by Falcons head coach Arthur Smith in a game where San Francisco’s offense needed to carry the day.

Grade: D