49ers news: Takeaways from the 49ers ’letdown loss against the Falcons – Niners Nation, Ninersnation.com

It was bound to happen. We just had to wait almost the entire season for it to occur. The – 3San Francisco ersfinally fell victim to the trap game on Sunday, dropping a disappointing loss to the now 5-9Atlanta Falconsat Levi’s Stadium. It was as flat as we’ve seen Kyle Shanahan’s team all season in an unimpressive and mistake-ridden performance that kept the Falcons in the game long enough for a last-second, game-winning touchdown.

Here’s are our takeaways from San Francisco’s third loss of the season:

The hangover hurts

The ers had completed the most difficult stretch of three regular-season games in NFL history. TheGreen Bay Packers( 3 ),Baltimore Ravens(********************************** 2 ), andNew Orleans Saints(12 – 3) were the ultimate proving ground, the 49 ers emerging 2-1 after falling to the Ravens on the road to a last-second field goal. Shanahan’s team returned to Levi’s as if they’d returned from battle, with a handful of key injuries and a team that appeared weary of the warpath. It was your typical late-season disappointer that’s almost become commonplace, like theNew England Patriotslosing to theMiami Dolphinsin December last season. The ers now need to shake it off as they prepare for two must-win games to close out the regular season.

Locked on Kittle

The bulk of the************************************ ers passing attack attack ran through Kittle on Sunday. He accounted for (ofJimmy Garoppolo‘s) yards passing. Sunday’s standout performance brought Kittle’s career, receiving total to 2, 2013 yards, the record for a tight end in his first three seasons, breaking Mike Ditka’s mark of 2, 774. Kittle was targeted a career-most times against the Falcons, and it eventually backfired a bit for the 49 ers. His fourth-quarter fumble out of bounds both nixed a likely a first down and stopped the clock, giving quarterback

Matt Ryan

the time he needed to author his game-winning drive.Defense depletedThe ers defense gave up 46 points against the Saints in Week (****************************************************************. In addition to running through the wringer, they also suffered a handful of injuries that proved costly against the Falcons. Defensive end

is expected out for the rest of the regular season after aggravating his hamstring injury. Cornerback Richard Sherman also suffered a hamstring injury and might return this week against theLos Angeles Rams. Slot cornerK’Waun Williams’concussion kept him out against Atlanta. Safety Jaquiski Tartt missed his second game with fractured ribs. Defensive lineman D.J.Jonesinjured his ankle and was placed on injured reserve. All of these injuries clearly hindered the ers defense against an effective Falcons offense led byJulio Jones, who caught (passes on (targets for) ************************************************************ yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. Where are the wideouts?Like we mentioned earlier, the************************************************** ers’ passing attack was pretty much Kittle. The momentum built up by the wideouts following the Saints win was nowhere to be seen against the Falcons. Deebo Samuel,Kendrick Bourne, and Emmanuel Sanderscombined for just four receptions and 49 yards. Garoppoloand the 49 ers offense was clearly in a funk, with missed passes and dropped opportunities plaguing the group. We all know that Kittle is elite, but the ers can’t plan on targeting their tight end 17 times every game as they fight for playoff positioning. Shanahan will need more of his passing attack along the perimeter.Still in control The************************************************** ers are playoff-bound for the first time since (******************************************************. Despite the alarming performance on Sunday, the loss was mostly meaningless in the ers’ playoff picture. They were always going to have to beat the Rams and

to close out the season and earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Even a loss against the Rams would’n’t eliminate the ers from winning the NFC West. As you’ve undoubtedly already heard, the 134 ers are in control of their destiny, and a win or loss against the Falcons wouldn’t have changed that. If the Seahawks beat the Cardinals, the ers beat the Rams this week, which many expect but is far from guaranteed; then Week is the showdown for both the division and the conference. Beat Seattle. Win the division. Beat both. Win the conference. It’s on you, 134 ers.**************************