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| Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks towards the sidelines after throwing an incomplete pass against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images / Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images |
SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco 49ers Fall 12-6 to the Los Angeles Rams: Performance Grades
The San Francisco 49ers came up short in a critical matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, losing 12-6 in a defensive-heavy showdown. Here's a breakdown of the team's performance, position by position.
Quarterback: F
Brock Purdy delivered one of the poorest performances of his career in a must-win game. Completing just 45% of his passes, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, and throwing a costly red-zone interception, Purdy faltered under the pressure. Despite favorable weather conditions for most of the game, his inaccuracy and decision-making issues stood out. Underthrowing George Kittle, missing Ricky Pearsall on a potential touchdown, and an interception intended for Jauan Jennings highlighted his struggles. With his record at 9-9 in his last 18 starts and a declining quarterback rating of 91, questions loom about his long-term viability.
Running Backs: C
Isaac Guerendo ran hard but wasn’t given enough opportunities to impact the game. He finished with limited production due to a lack of commitment to the run game, as the 49ers abandoned it after just 19 attempts, compared to the Rams' 38 carries.
Fullback: F
The fullback’s contributions were non-existent, failing to touch the ball or make a significant impact.
Wide Receivers: F
This group had a game to forget. Jauan Jennings was targeted nine times but caught only two passes. Ricky Pearsall had a single catch and was missed on a deep shot that could have shifted momentum. Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel underwhelmed again, catching just three of seven targets for 16 yards, with a critical drop in the end zone. Samuel’s inconsistent performances this season continue to raise questions about his value to the team.
Tight Ends: B
George Kittle was one of the few bright spots on offense, hauling in 61 yards on seven targets. His efficiency highlighted the misplaced focus on Samuel, who received an equal number of targets despite contributing far less.
Offensive Line: C
The line struggled in both pass protection and run blocking, surrendering three sacks and failing to open consistent running lanes.
Defensive Line: D
The unit started strong against the run but faded in the fourth quarter. Additionally, they failed to record a single sack, allowing Matthew Stafford too much time in the pocket.
Linebackers: A-
Fred Warner led with an impressive 15 tackles, while Dre Greenlaw had a strong first half in his return from injury. However, Greenlaw’s knee injury in the second half exposed depth issues, as De’Vondre Campbell refused to play, forcing the team to rely on just two linebackers. Campbell’s actions highlighted deeper team chemistry problems.
Defensive Backs: A-
The secondary held the Rams to just 160 passing yards with no touchdowns, but missed interception opportunities cost them a chance to change the game.
Special Teams: B+
Jake Moody converted both of his field-goal attempts, maintaining consistency. However, two illegal formation penalties marred an otherwise solid performance.
Coaches: F
Kyle Shanahan’s game plan appeared more focused on appeasing Deebo Samuel than executing a winning strategy. By forcing the offense through Samuel, who underperformed yet again, Shanahan’s decisions hampered the team’s chances. His refusal to adapt mid-game, especially in abandoning the run, stood in stark contrast to Sean McVay’s balanced approach. Furthermore, the lack of team cohesion and Campbell’s refusal to play reflected poorly on Shanahan’s leadership.
If the 49ers hope to bounce back, significant changes are necessary. Both Shanahan and Samuel need to reassess their roles moving forward, or the team risks further regression.
