These 4 players absolutely flopped in 49ers' Week 12 loss to Packers

The 49ers were beyond shoddy all around in Week 12 against the Packers, but these four stood out for all the wrong reasons.

No Brock Purdy? No Trent Williams? No Nick Bosa for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers?

Problem.

Sure, the eventual 38-10 finale at Lambeau Field felt inevitable in many different ways, even though the game was relatively close for the first two-plus quarters. But the Niners had to play as much mistake-free football as they possibly could have.

Narrator: "They didn't."

In addition to Green Bay wholly outclassing San Francisco on every level, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad repeatedly committed self harm during the affair, missing more than 20 tackles in the game and committing nine penalties. Three lost turnovers to zero takeaways also helped ensure the defeat.

While a 5-6 record suggests roster-wide problems, these four Niners in particular were pretty awful in the Week 12 bout.

No. 1: Deebo Samuel

Getting the go for the injured Purdy, backup quarterback Brandon Allen wasn't entirely terrible in his first start since 2021, largely doing what reserve signal-callers do when called upon.

But Allen didn't exactly get much help from his top weaponry, especially Deebo Samuel, who missed two very catchable balls, including one that slipped right through his hands for an interception:

Samuel's stat line for the game? A mere one catch for 21 yards on four targets, plus two drops.

Sure, Samuel had an 87-yard return that was wiped out by a penalty. But, the 2021 first-team All-Pro no longer appears to be a top-tier weapon who changes how opposing defenses scheme against San Francisco's offense.

Plus, declining to speak to the media after the game is a bad, bad look. Taking a leadership role and holding himself accountable would have been the correct thing to do.

No. 2 Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey is another player who usually garners top attention from opposing defenses, but the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year hasn't quite been the X-factor the 49ers so desperately need out of the backfield.

The Packers largely contained the running back's ground efforts, holding McCaffrey to just 31 yards rushing and an average of 2.8 yards on the ground.

Sure, a lot of that has to do with inadequate run blocking and scheme design, but the All-Pro tailback hasn't exactly been the top-tier weapon since returning from the Achilles injuries that held him out of the first eight games of the season.

Making things worse, McCaffrey's late-game lost fumble ensured the Niners would have no chance at a comeback.

No. 3: Dominick Puni

Usually, despite whatever outcome San Francisco experiences any given week, rookie Dominick Puni is earning praise for commendable efforts on the right side of the offensive line.

Not the case in Week 12.

Puni easily had his worst game as a pro against Green Bay, highlighted by three penalties committed and a surrendered sack (his first of the year) that only added to a penalty-riddled performance by the 49ers.

In fairness to the first-year right guard, having a different quarterback under center meant cadences and snaps wouldn't quite be the same as when Purdy would be on the field. And Puni wasn't the only one who struggled to jell with the reserve signal-caller.

Still, Puni's performance wasn't good, no matter what the circumstances.

No. 4: Isaac Yiadom

Remember back during training camp when it appeared as if the Niners found a hidden gem after picking up free-agent cornerback Isaac Yiadom?

Those days seem like a distant memory now.

Related story: 49ers reach peak dysfunction during Week 12 game vs. Packers

Granted, Yiadom is little more than a backup corner getting extended field time in the aftermath of All-Pro Charvarius Ward taking time away following the tragic passing of his daughter. But Yiadom showcased why he's a notable liability within San Francisco's defensive backfield, regularly 5 yards behind an intended target.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love had no issue trying to challenge Yiadom at every opportunity. And the veteran corner's efforts could have looked much worse if wide receiver Christian Watson didn't drop what would have been a walk-in touchdown pass.

That wasn't the sole gaffe, though.

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