49ers report card: Offense stutters and defense cracks in shocking loss to Falcons
The 49ers dropped a stunner, 29-22, that came down to the final seconds against the Atlanta Falcons as All-Pro receiver Julio Jones scored with just 2 seconds remaining on a play that was initially ruled short of the end zone.
Here are our grades from Sunday’s wild game at Levi’s Stadium as San Francisco dropped to 11-3.
Passing offense: C
Jimmy Garoppolo was far less sharp than last week in New Orleans and the offense was sluggish overall. He completed just 11 of his first 20 throws as the Falcons did well to keep the 49ers out of rhythm. George Kittle accounted for 94 of Garoppolo’s first 105 passing yards. Garoppolo’s only touchdown pass of the game went to Kyle Juszczyk from 2 yards out in the fourth quarter to give San Francisco a two-score lead, which they wound up squandering. Garoppolo finished with 200 yards on 22 of 34 completions. Kittle had 134 yards, but a late-game fumble inside Falcons territory set up a field goal rather than getting a first down, which could have salted the game away.
Rushing offense: B-
The 49ers went three-and-out on their first series with Tevin Coleman as the lead running back, but Raheem Mostert came in the second series and scored a touchdown to cap a 21-play, 88-yard drive, to give San Francisco the game’s first points. Matt Breida fumbled in Falcons territory late in the third quarter. The 49ers had 120 yards on 27 carries, but the run blocking was inconsistent in the first full game without starting center Weston Richburg.
Passing defense: D
The 49ers were clearly missing three important players in their secondary: Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams and Jaquiski Tartt. After allowing touchdowns on the Saints’ first four possessions last week, San Francisco’s defense forced punts on Atlanta’s first two series as Matt Ryan opened just 2 of 5. But then Julio Jones started to get going in the second quarter, scoring a 5-yard touchdown after a long catch near the sideline on Emmanuel Moseley, the replacement for Sherman. Nick Bosa in the third quarter recorded his first sack since Nov. 24. Jimmie Ward was flagged for a questionable pass interference on Jones in the end zone with just over five minutes remaining that set up the Falcons’ touchdown from Qadree Ollison.
For the second week in a row, San Francisco’s defense allowed an opponent to drive the length of the field late in the fourth quarter. The Falcons thought they scored the game-winning touchdown with 4 seconds remaining, but it was determined after review tight end Austin’s Cooper’s catch hit the ground. Then Jones scored from 5 yards out, on a play that was initially ruled short of the end zone, but replay shows it broke the plane.
Ryan finished with 210 yards on 25 of 39 completions (64 percent) and a pair of touchdowns.
Rushing defense: B
The Falcons averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the first half, but relied heavily on their passing game in the second. They finished with just 89 yards on 20 carries. DAvonte Freeman led them with 39 yards on 12 carries.
Special teams: B
The Falcons nearly caught the 49ers off guard with an onside kick to open the second half, but they were called for an illegal formation penalty that negated Younghoe Koo’s recovery. Seemingly the biggest play of the game came just inside 11 minutes remaining when backup tight end Ross Dwelley forced a fumble from punt returner Kenjon Barner that was recovered by Juszczyk, who took it to the 1-yard line, setting up his touchdown catch two plays later to make it 19-10 (Robbie Gould missed the extra point).
Coaching: D
The 49ers’ offense was flat throughout, and the defense struggled to contain Jones with a banged up secondary. It was clear there was an emotional letdown following the three-game gauntlet against the Packers, Ravens and Saints. And San Francisco coming out flat has to fall on head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff for losing to a team that came in 4-9.
This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 4:53 PM.
