49ers abandoned by bad teammate, fall to Rams: Rapid reactions

What a pathetic performance by the San Francisco 49ers. The offense was horrid and the defense, even though they played well for three quarters, couldn't hold off the Los Angeles Rams in the final quarter, as the 49ers lost 12-6. The loss didn't mathematically eliminate the 49ers from the postseason picture, but it essentially did.

This was a tough one to watch. I hate the Rams and despise losing to them. Yes, I cover the 49ers and am supposed to handle these things professionally. But I'm a fan first. Which is why my rapid reactions are laced with anger this week. This may not be the most uplifting read, but these are my live responses as the action unfolded. Let's take a look:

• A three-and-out isn't the way you want the 49ers offense to begin. Only one run play was called—on a night you really need to run the ball.
• Dre Greenlaw wasted no time getting started.

• The defense answered with a three-and-out of their own. Deommodore Lenoir let a potential interception go through his hands. That would have been a big one.
• Deebo Samuel is now tackling his teammates. I'm not sure what that was, but he just tackled Isaac Guerendo on a run up the middle.

• Nice job by Jake Moody with the 53-yard field goal.
• Two defensive stops. Two dropped interceptions. This time, it was Talanoa Hufanga who dropped one. In his defense, he has a club on one hand.
• Good thing the defense came to play because the offense has been anemic so far.
• That was a great special teams play by Nick McCloud downing the punt at the three-yard line. And an excellent punt by Pat O'Donnell.
• How do you let Matthew Stafford run for a first down? He's old and slow.
• You know the weather is bad when Jauan Jennings is dropping passes.
• Jake Brendel stinks. I may have mentioned that before—like almost every week.
• That was a pathetic first half. The defense was good, but the offense was terrible.
• Greenlaw had nine tackles in the first half. He's a special player and a big reason why the defense has struggled in 2024.
• Kick coverage has been better tonight, but why can't Moody get it to the end zone?
• The accuracy isn't there for Brock Purdy tonight. He's overthrown guys, and he's underthrown guys.
• Samuel deserves to be booed. What a horrible drop of what may have been a touchdown.

• I've lost count of how many times 49ers defenders have had a hand on the ball. But there has not been one interception so far.
• The secondary has been excellent but the pass rush has not been. They've barely touched Stafford.
• The Rams have made some adjustments on offense in the second half, and so far, Nick Sorensen has not responded well.
• Purdy has more passes tipped than anyone I can remember—especially this season.
• Every time they throw the ball to Samuel, nothing good happens. So maybe stop throwing him the ball.
• Fred Warner is a machine. Where would the 49ers be without him?
• It stopped raining several minutes ago, but no one told the 49ers offense. They still can't do anything.
• Ricky Pearsall with the catch! That's a great time to come up with a play.
• Isaac Guerendo has played well tonight despite not having much room to run.
• A bad pass from Purdy just blew the game. And it looked like he had an open receiver underneath. There was no reason to throw that deep pass. That interception just cost the 49ers the season.
• The first turnover of the game is the clincher. How many interceptions have the 49ers dropped tonight?
• The 49ers offense managed only six points against a bad Rams defense. Purdy was bad. Samuel was bad. And the offensive line may have been even worse. How do you lose a game when you didn't give up a touchdown?
• DeVondre Campbell is a loser. He walked out on his team when Greenlaw went down and refused to play. Kyle Shanahan said Campbell went to the locker room. I don't like players who quit on their team. Can you tell?

Next for the 49ers is a trip to Miami to take on the Dolphins. This team won't quit. They'll show up and play hard even though there's nothing left for which to play. These guys aren't like Campbell and they will be motivated to prove that.