49ers report card: Blaine Gabbert, special teams shine in overtime win
Offense: The 49ers narrowly avoided tying a franchise record for fewest points in a 16-game season. They still finished last in scoring in the NFL despite their second overtime win of the season. Blaine Gabbert finished with 354 passing yards, his biggest output as a 49er.
Grade: C+
Defense: The 49ers allowed only one touchdown, which came after the Rams intercepted a tipped pass and returned it to the 3-yard line. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman had another strong game at inside linebacker, but the 49ers failed to put pressure on St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum. Grade: B
Special teams: Dontae Johnson took top honors for blocking the Rams’ potential game-winning field goal. A close second: Phil Dawson, who hit all four field-goal attempts, including the game winner in overtime. Bradley Pinion bounced back with some booming punts. Grade: A-
Overall: Jim Tomsula merely needed to show improvement – any improvement – over the final month of the season. He didn’t. He had two wins after a Week 10 bye, both in overtime to teams with losing records. The music has stopped on the 2015 season, and Tomsula doesn’t have a seat. Grade: C
Matt Barrows: @mattbarrows, read more about the team at sacbee.com/sf49ers.
This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 4:55 PM.