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Maiocco’s observations: 49ers’ playoff odds dwindle with loss to Rams originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ defense delivered a big performance against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
But the offense dropped the ball in a 12-6 loss to the Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
And that’s how the 49ers’ 2024 season, in effect, ended.
A week earlier, the Rams produced offensive fireworks in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
The 49ers’ defense certainly played well enough to win on Thursday, but Brock Purdy and the offense could not get things going.
Here are the takeaways from the 49ers’ loss, which drops them to 6-8 on the season:
Samuel’s tough sledding
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel went to social media this week to exclaim that he is not struggling. He suggested that he is merely lacking opportunities.
When he got his big chance on Thursday night, he flubbed it.
In a 3-3 game in the middle of the third quarter, Purdy delivered a perfectly thrown pass for Samuel that would have picked up a lot more than just a first down on a third-and-10 play from the Rams’ 29.
But Samuel dropped the pass, and the 49ers had to settle for a field goal to take a 6-3.
Samuel did not make the most of his opportunities, as his production again fell below expectations.
Coach Kyle Shanahan seemingly made it a priority to get Samuel involved from the beginning of the game. But the 49ers’ first offensive play — Purdy’s pass intended for Samuel — fell incomplete.
Samuel was targeted seven times and caught just three passes for 16 yards. He also had two rushing attempts for just 3 yards.
Greenlaw jumps back in
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw returned to the starting lineup and made an immediate impact while he was on the field.
Greenlaw played nearly every snap of the first half in his first game since he played the first 12 defensive plays of the Super Bowl on Feb. 11.
He did not see much action in the second half, as he appeared to have a brace on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/maioccos-observations-49ers-playoff-odds-041923911.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-12-13 08:06:00
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