49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan prefers to use experienced players rather than younger, more talented ones, and in this game, that was the loss.
A completely free Ronnie Ball drops a ball that squashes a potentially game-winning drive. Why Bell instead of Jacob Cowing? Too late to ask that now. De’Vondre Campbell played the opposition all game, including a critical pass interference play. He was too old last year that fateful year, his play doesn’t justify the starts now.
Combine that with the great performances of the special teams and the Rams win a crucial early game 27-24.
The Niners were missing key players, but they still had the game to win until late coaching decisions and the resulting poor execution threw the game away.
The blame certainly lies with special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, whose team once again contributed to a loss with a successful fake punt by the Rams and a 37-yard punt return that put the game on the line. The same goes for kicker Jake Moody, who missed a crucial field goal to the left.
The loss can also be attributed to the secondary giving up 93 yards to Tutu Atwell and the run defense allowing crucial conversions by Kyren Williams.
It all adds up to a self-inflicted defeat. If you get the details wrong in football, you tend to lose. Details like playing Bell instead of Cowing and starting Campbell are like karma, it always catches up with you.
The Niners are 1-2, lost the tiebreaker against the Rams and start the division 0-1.
In a game where the Niners needed to get the ship back on course, it began to sink.
Game balls
Juan Jennings – 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Putting Jennings in the roles of Deebo and Kittle has paid off in a career game. One benefit of having players out is that others have a chance to step up. Jennings has made it clear that he needs more targets and a bigger role in the offense.
Talanoa Hufanga – Second on the team with seven tackles in his first game back from a long injury layoff.
Penalty flags
The coaching staff – Once again they have been outdone as coaches and have directly contributed to a defeat for the second week in a row.
Jake Moody – He was drafted with the intention of making 50-yard field goals at crucial moments, and he has proven so far in the NFL that he cannot be relied upon.
Next week
Home opener for the Patriots in a game where the Niners must regain their confidence. The next eight weeks include two games against undefeated Seattle and Kansas City, and close with cold-weather games in Green Bay and Buffalo. The opening weeks served as a substitute for training camp, but training camp will end once the Niners head to Seattle on October 10.
