Yesterday, the 49ers suffered the unofficial deathblow to their 2020 season. After getting out to an early 7-0 lead vs. the Washington Football Team, the 49ers collapsed in major fashion and watched their playoff aspirations soar out the door. This game wasn't like the 49ers' Monday Night Football loss to the Bills in Week 13. The 49ers had no chance in that game. In this one, however, the 49ers had an abundance of opportunity. In Week 13, the 49ers defense failed to show up. On Sunday, the 49ers defense looked like the force that had kept this season afloat for so long. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh brought his 'A' game as the 49ers defense allowed only 193 total yards. Neither the WFT rushing or passing game accounted for more than 100 yards. The 49ers yielded only 12 first downs and they sacked WFT twice and intercepted 1 pass. Most importantly, Saleh's staunch defense only allowed 9 points. You don't win games on paper, but if you told anyone that is how this game would go, most people would assume the 49ers would have come out of this game 6-7.
Unfortunately, games aren't won on paper, they're won on the field. On the field Sunday, the 49ers produced in 2/3 phases of the game. The defense and special teams upheld their ends of the bargain, while the 49ers offense was absolutely atrocious. There is one person responsible for that, and his name is Kyle Shanahan. His offense isn't very good. It hasn't been good for the entire season. It currently ranks 20th in ppg scored; last year it was 2nd. Injuries play a part in that, but both sides of the ball have suffered severe injuries for the 49ers in 2020. While Shanahan's unit has dropped 18 spots in points generated (2nd in 2019, 20th in 2020), Saleh's defense has only dropped 6 spots in points allowed (8th in 2019, 14th in 2020). The defense is missing its 2 best pass rushers and host of other starting players. It's pretty clear the 49ers have much better coaching on defense than they do on offense. Saleh will get a new coaching gig in 2021. Maybe we're letting the wrong guy walk out the door.
Shanahan's performance this season isn't unfamiliar. If you followed this team for the last 4 seasons, it's quite clear that Shanahan has some glaring limitations. Those limitations are all over the board, from talent evaluation, to game management, to player development. Outside of 2019, Shanahan is looking at the likely outcome that every season he has coached, he loses 10+ games. Bill Parcells once said, "You are what your record is." Shanahan's record simply isn't good. It seems that Shanahan can only be successful in the perfect situation. If he has limited injuries (2019), a QB playing well (Jimmy G in 2019), and a dominant defense (2019), he can win some football games (15-4). Whenever that formula is interrupted, he's a clear-cut loser (15-30), losing twice as many games as he wins. The wizard isn't the one making the magic; it's the wand.
Not only is Shanahan having another losing season, but it seems like he has actually regressed in 2020. The 49ers offense has become stagnant. There is a severe lack of creativity, and even less of a risk-taking presence. Yes, 2020 has signaled the birth of "Cowardly Kyle." Against the Bills, the 49ers took the rare deep shot twice with passes to emerging star WR Brandon Aiyuk. So, it only makes sense the following week, there were zero deep balls thrown in a very winnable football game. It seems that Kyle only uncorked these plays when the 49ers are out of a game. How cowardly.
As Nick Mullens struggled, the 49ers trailed by 6 points heading into halftime yesterday. It was clear the 49ers needed a spark, but Kyle Shanahan stuck with Nick Mullens and watched him throw a crippling pick-6 at the end of the 3rd quarter to put the 49ers behind by 16 points. This loss is a microcosm of one of the major issues plaguing this offense. Where is the sense of urgency? How do you punt the ball on 4th and 1, down 8 with 4 minutes to go? Cowardly. Where is the creativity? Why does Kyle Shanahan believe, with the season on the line, that you must stick to your tired, old and outdated script? Stubbornly stupid.
The errors of the past may just be finally catching up to this team. It doesn't matter who plays QB in 2021, the 49ers are headed towards a difficult future. Outside of the pass catching crew, this entire offense can be called into question. For such a run-heavy team, the 49ers don't have one reliable running back. The offensive line? Perhaps it is built entirely wrong. Shanahan places such a heavy focus on the run game and it seems he has done so to the peril of the passing attack.
The 49ers drafted T Mike McGlinchey 9th overall in 2018. The assumption was that McGlinchey was the perfect tackle for the Shanahan run scheme. His pass-blocking was always a weakness, but his ability to run-block was essential to Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers passed up the following players when they drafted McGlinchey: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, S Derwin James, ILB Tremaine Edmunds, and CB Jaire Alexander. McGlinchey can't pass block to save his life. Watching the closing plays of yesterday's loss will remind you of that if you somehow forgot. A complete bust of a pick, and mainly, because he was Shanahan's perfect fit. As McGlinchey struggles to pass block, so does the majority of the offensive line. Shanahan guys, clearly. These flaws were hidden by QB Jimmy Garoppolo. The embattled Garoppolo had an incredibly quick release. When Jimmy is behind center, it seems the line gets slightly better. As usual, Garoppolo provided the makeup to cover up the 49ers' flaws.
This team will look drastically different in 2021. One thing that is certain is Kyle Shanahan will still be the head coach. This might be the case for 2021, but it's hard to imagine that his clock won't begin ticking soon, too. When the 49ers lose their best coach this offseason, it'll be completely up to Kyle Shanahan to make this thing work. If he can't, he'll be well on his way to becoming this generation's Norv Turner.
Written By:
Gilbert Brink
49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
All articles by Gilbert Brink
Gilbert Brink
49ers outsider, residing in the Hudson Valley, representing 30+ years of the 49ers experience
All articles by Gilbert Brink