49ers overreactions: Are playoff hopes in danger after 1-2 start? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
There never seemed to be a point the 49ers were in danger of losing in Week 3 … until they did.
The loss to the Los Angeles Rams came out of nowhere. The 49ers failed to put the game out of reach when they had plenty of chances.
They botched more than enough plays to give Matthew Stafford an opening to pull out an unlikely 27-24 upset victory over the shell-shocked 49ers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
It’s games such as this that are made for 49ers overreactions, so here we go …
Ronnie Bell to the practice squad. Fire the special teams coach. (spoilertalerts)
Overreaction: No and yes.
It was a bit of a surprise that Ronnie Bell made the initial 53-man roster, as the 49ers opted to keep seven receivers.
When Ricky Pearsall is cleared to return off the non-football injury list, it seems as if wide receiver is a spot where the 49ers could make a move.
There is no reason for them to keep seven wide receivers, so they could decide between Bell and Chris Conley. Bell is not a contributor on special teams; Conley is. So that would seem to give Conley the edge.
The 49ers still have an open roster spot, and they seem to be in no hurry to fill it.
Based on the 30 snaps Bell played in Sunday’s game, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has more confidence in Bell’s ability to fill a role on offense over rookie Jacob Cowing.
They need to get Cowing to a spot where he can see some action on offense while also holding down his role on punt returns.
As for special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, his unit must perform better. But firing people after three games is generally not a reasonable option.
Schneider has coached a long time in the NFL, so he’s proven. His special teams units with Seattle were top-notch, including in the season of their Super Bowl title.
The 49ers do not need to win games on special teams, but it is unacceptable for them to give the game away.
Worst regular season…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-overreactions-playoff-hopes-danger-165526673.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-09-24 16:55:26
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