The Mercury News grades the 49ers' performance
Nine consecutive losses puts this season’s 49ers alongside the 1978 version for the longest skid in franchise history. Here is how the 49ers (1-9) graded in Sunday’s 30-17 home loss to the New England Patriots (8-2):
Pass offense: D+
Chip Kelly rightfully said the 49ers don’t have the personnel for a pass-oriented comeback, as illustrated throughout this losing streak. With Torrey Smith out for the first time in 90 career games, the 49ers did not have a down-field threat commanding a double team, Kelly noted. Vance McDonald and Shaun Draughn each had a touchdown among their three receptions. All five sacks came before halftime, so pass protection can’t take the blame for Kaepernick’s second-half snooze (8 of 21, 90 yards).
Run offense: C
With such a glaring lack of receiving play makers, can’t the 49ers just have Carlos Hyde and Kaepernick run on every snap, please? Hyde rebounded well from last game and produced 86 rushing yards. Kaepernick had a season-low four carries (32 yards). DuJuan Harris had four carries for 4 yards and got bulldozed on a third-down sack.
Pass defense: D
As great as Tom Brady was in a four-touchdown showcase, he also showed how the 49ers pass rush is constantly a step too slow. So what is it, Brady has a quick release or Brady moves well in the pocket? Both. Nine games in and not one interception by a cornerback. Eric Reid’s arm injury and Jimmie Ward’s concussion might further deplete an injury-riddled defense.
Run defense: D+
Surprise, the 49ers made way for another 100-yard rusher, although LeGarrette Blount (19 carries, 124 yards) didn’t hit the century mark until just 1:40 remained. Blount had a 44-yard run against a defense that allowed a 100-yard rusher in an NFL-record seven straight games before stopping that streak the previous week in Arizona. Kelly singled out linebacker Nick Bellore — for playing better than he did four weeks ago? Bill Belichick, meanwhile, praised the 49ers run defense: “It was hard to just run the ball against the eight- to nine-man fronts that they were presenting, and their safeties did a good job, (Antoine) Bethea and (Eric) Reid, and the corners.”
Special teams: B-
Phil Dawson made his 400th career field goal with a 33-yard attempt in the first quarter. He’s 14 of 15 on field-goal attempts and, in what’s emerged as another asset, he’s made all 22 point-after kicks. The punt-coverage unit let Danny Amendola average 15.3 yards on three returns. Jeremy Kerley (muffed punt return out of bounds) and JaCorey Shepherd (10-yard kick return) weren’t stellar.
Coaching: D
Kelly is the first coach in 49ers history to lose nine straight games in a season, with no end in sight to this skid as they take an 0-4 road record to Miami and Chicago. Halftime adjustments either aren’t made or backfire (see: 58-16 third-quarter differential). Did we mention the sideline drew a 15-yard, unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty for repeatedly not heeding officials’ warnings?
http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/21/grading-the-49ers-30-17-loss-to-the-new-england-patriots/
