SANTA CLARA — The 49ers blew another one.
They blew their fourth fourth-quarter lead of the season Monday night and lost 27-23 to the New York Giants.
The game was entertaining. Both teams played with pride. But, neither team is good. The Giants’ record is 2-7. The 49ers’ record is 2-8. Two of the worst teams in the league.
The 49ers led by three points with 57 seconds left in the game, and couldn’t finish. Just as they couldn’t finish off the Arizona Cardinals when leading by 12 points in the fourth quarter, or the Green Bay Packers when leading by seven points in the fourth quarter, or the Los Angeles Chargers when leading by one point in the fourth quarter.
“We should have won,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We had a chance to step on (the Giants’) throat and didn’t. Let them get back in it fast. Kept them around too long. And we didn’t make plays at the end of the game. We had a great opportunity. But, as a team, players and coaching staff, we didn’t get it done.”
Click here to read the rest of my game story.
“The game was tied with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter. The 49ers had the ball in red zone. It was third-and-6 from the Giants’ 15. This was the 49ers’ best chance to close out the game.”
A TD there gives us a 7 point lead. That wouldn’t have closed out the game considering our D gave up a TD on the following drive.
“It didn’t. Linebacker Malcolm Smith committed a holding penalty on third and 12, which gave the Giants an automatic first down. Then, Witherspoon committed pass interference on second and 20, which gave the Giants another automatic first down.”
Two ticky tack calls. But that should be expected when playing against a Manning.
Neither of those calls were ticky tak. Smith clearly grabbed Barkley which is why the pass was too far in front of him and Witherspoon was all over Beckham, never turned his head either.
49ers caught a couple of breaks in similar calls earlier in the game.
They were. I’ve seen a lot worse not get called late.
Did you see in the 1st half where we tackled a Giant about a yard short on 3rd down, but NY got a 1st down on a very generous spot?
The yellow line is unofficial. If the 49ers thought it was a bad spot they could have challenged it. They didn’t.
Complaining about officiating is for losers. Don’t hear much from the winners on that stuff.
We’re old enough to have watched football before the yellow line, it was well short. KS may have wanted to challenge, but the next play started quickly.
“Complaining about officiating is for losers. Don’t hear much from the winners on that stuff.”
Funny to hear such a big Harbaugh fan say that.
Yeah, I don’t complain about officiating, and it wasn’t the difference in the game last night.
“Yeah, I don’t complain about officiating”
Didn’t say you did. It was funny because Harbaugh complains about the refs and throws tantrums on the field. Is Harbaugh a “loser”?
Jack, good comment on not complaining about the calls; but the PI on Witherspoon was a “close one.”
The heartache is that if our DBs don’t know when to get their heads turned around, we lose the close ones. And the post-game reporters, former Niners, were all over that. So, yes, I think you are right. Super unfortunate is if you look at the still photo of that play, it shows Manning’s back shoulder pass to be off enough that Spoon was in a better position (turn your ^^^^ing head!).
And the bigger heartache is that Manning may not have been able to string together four good pass plays in the same series, but he only needed one, due to errors. Bummer.
We need new DBs.
yeah ..yer right Grant … Niners lost .. (again) … and …
this time … I don’t understand why …either…
I mean you even gave them a roadmap on WHY they would
win this one .. (in the previous thread) …. but . it seems ..
we know now … that the Niners org … pays attention to
you … just as much as they pay attention to Seb …
Oh well … cie ls vie … right ?
Yup, and some day, they will consider time outs to be precious, and saved for legitimate challenges, and the last 2 minutes of each half.
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It might make the difference between winning and losing.
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Grant was spot on.
This loss was just another in a long list of missed opportunities. This team sure is good at losing close games. They say all the right things afterwards too, about needing to get better, etc. But they’ve said it often now. Talk is cheap. Still making dumb mistakes at the end of games and letting opponents hang around rather than close them out.
On the 2nd OBJ TD, wasn’t it Exum that Witherspoon was remonstrating with about the TD? Exum was playing deep safety that play, and shading that side of the field. Not Ward. Ward was up. If Ward was at fault really need to question the look that was given on that play as he was always out of position to help out. Looked like there was a miscommunication with Ward and Warner though, as I doubt they were meant to be double covering Engram. Not sure how all these miscommunications keep happening in what is meant to be a pretty simple D.
Very troubling. On the first OBJ TD, Williams got beat from the slot, Spoon just stood in the endzone guarding grass. Not sure what Spoon’s responsibility was on that play though.
Shanny didn’t like Spoon throwing up his arms after the second OBJ TD. It’s good that Coach Shanahan is trying to nip the finger pointing in the bud, although I can certainly understand Spoon’s frustration.
Looked to me on that 1st TD that Williams didn’t get enough depth in his drop. They were playing zone so he didn’t really get beat so much as he needed to drop just a little further to prevent the pass over his head.
I think Witherspoon has been pretty unlucky this year. He has had quite a few TDs on his coverage now where he clearly was expecting help over the top that didn’t come. But that doesn’t stop fans and media ripping him for those TDs. He looks like he is getting frustrated and has been for a while. Needs to let it go and control what he can control.
Yep, that first TD to Beckham was on Williams. But while Exum missed his assignment on the second TD pass to Beckham, I feel like Witherspoon could have turned his head and tracked the ball.
“Looked to me on that 1st TD that Williams didn’t get enough depth in his drop. They were playing zone”
This happens quite a bit with this team when in zone. We saw the same thing on the crossing route to Beckham on the Giants first possession of the second half. Warner drops to his spot and it’s like he doesn’t see what’s coming behind him, which is bad when there was no route in front of him to cover.
Is that a sign of poor play or poorly prepared players in your mind?
It’s both. If they aren’t being taught to keep their eyes open for crossers to get deep that’s on the coaches. If they are but can’t do it that’s on the player.
The play from the backers in pass coverage this season has been pretty bad. Really don’t understand all the love for Ryans other than the fact that people recognize the name.
I get the same impression. Not sure if this inexperienced coaching staff is up to the task.
If you want to be further depressed by our defense… listen to John Chapman’s postgame breakdown…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5hwKAZ5fwc
– Manning has been sacked on a per game basis more than any other qb in the league prior to this game and we got 1 sack and only got a hand on him one other time.
This team has proven that it is substantially better than a tanking team, but not much else. They have lost to the Arizona Cardinals 2x now and the 1 win Giants.
I really thought this team could beat the Giants but they, once again, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
East, stop parroting me.
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Try being original for once.
Says the man who said Mullens should concentrate on throwing more TDs!
Let me clue you in Seb, you don’t own the language or sayings. You also don’t own football observations!
You are too predictable, by the way, and I guess I am invading your thoughts it has become your obsessions!!
Yes, Mullens and the Niners could have been bold, and gone for it on 4th and 3. If they had made it, they could have bled the clock and scored a TD, while even a FG may have won the game. Mullens and the Niners settled for a FG, instead of going for the throat to finish the game.
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BTW, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. You cannot come up with an original thought, so you think by parroting me, you look smart. Too bad it just shows how much my words ring true, and you do not have a clue. By parroting me, you are the one whose thoughts are invaded.
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When I parroted Razor, I acknowledged it and owned it. You do not have enough class or character to do that. No surprise to me.
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Keep trying. Someday, an original though may creep into your tiny mind.
Where was Davis Webb last night? Keep trying Sisyphus! Maybe you’ll get that stone over the hill! Remember to use leverage!
Yup, my thoughts do affect your psyche. Still parroting in a desperate way to keep hurling insults.
Your thoughts only show your own disturbed spirit! Get help.
Try harder. Still not original.
“Stop parroting me,” from the guy that parrots himself.
Funny, almost, considering all of your content is original.
Start CJB and fire Saleh. I’d put Kyle in there too the way he can’t coach.
Note I didn’t watch the game, but I already knew what would happen. This is an 0 and 16 team. Draft a QB. Watching a 49ers game is like going out to vote and expect the same result: nothing.
Well Nostradamus, that is what is your posts are like. Full of nothing.
Mid, It’s that troll Darren2iq
Except the Niners are 2-8….. Derrrrrrrrr…………
Has Saleh been fired yet? Another choke job where the D cannot protect the lead if their lives depended on it… The DL has not progressed; the secondary is lost as usual and Saleh’s play calling is bad – especially when trying to protect any sort of lead. The defensive coaching outside of greenhorn DeMeco Ryans sucks… If Shanahan wants to stick with this scheme he should place a call to Kris Richard… Saleh is nothing more than an average LB coach. Don’t let Saleh take you down with him Shanahan!
The DC can’t pass rush himself.
But that said, people are beginning to remember the coaches that Jed/Trent fired: Fangio, Donnatel, Solari. What Eff Fling nonsense that “house cleaning” was. And in return, we picked up a former DB for a GM; and added an OC to be HC. Wow.
On that TD where Spoon raised his arms up, opposite cornerback Richards Sherman said it was they had a busted coverage because they didn’t have the right personnel on the field. That’s on Saleh. Fire him!
They have busted coverages on almost every play, just a matter of whether the opposing QB sees it. Heck, players aren’t even taught to turn their heads in coverage…. Saleh is a turrible DC and coach as are most of his assistants outside of DeMeco. The D has given up (4) 4th quarter leads this year and they tried to give it away vs Detroit but Stafford missed some wide open receivers on that final drive…. If Shanahan doesn’t make a change he’s asking for more trouble. Saleh should have been canned by now….
Look at the box score: Matt Breida, an undrafted FA out preforms Barkley, a 2nd overall pick. George Kittle, a 5th round TE, has more yards receiving than “top flight” Odell Beckham Jr!… Maquise Goodwin only had only 4 less receiving yards than OBJ. I love our young talent! Sure, they lost the game, but it was an exciting game, and at this point with the playoffs well out of reach, I will take the higher draft pick to get our team the talent it needs to be better next year. What needs to change and-or grow is the coaching. Particularly, the DC. He is just not ready yet! We need an experienced coordinator for our defense. They keep coughing up 4th quarter leads! This is what has lead the playoffs to be out of reach this year. We also need to draft a solid cornerback. Uncle Sherm has been pretty good this year considering, but the offensive coordinators/QB’s know who to target: #23! Spoon is also just not ready or maybe not good enough. He is constantly making fundamental mistakes. Lack of coaching? Not enough talent? Both? Anyway, to end my rant, I must say: I don’t want to see CJ Beathard take another snap this season. I think Mullens is the better option and the better back up to JG. They have similar skill sets that would make the offense run smoother in the event of another injury. I also like his Derek Zoolander “blue steel” look that he has for a resting face.
After 1 1/2 seasons ,the culture is one of losing.
The head coach is responsible for this, the fans know it and the players know it!
Shanny will need to win in 2019 which means they’ll need to be very active in F/A in the secondary and at edge.
Nick Mullens is a keeper , if KS wants to go out on a limb and keep blowing his horn for CJB , that’s going to be one of his undoings . KS lost that game last night, Mullens was good enough to win.Dont want to see Mullens going somewhere else and having a good career
2 things I took away from the Giants game.
1. Kyle Shanahan’s scheme’s and coaching are outstanding. He scheme’s guys open on a regular basis. This team is close. Very close. They need to add a few pieces on defense and then a big time receiver on offense. They have the potential to lead the league in scoring next year if they make the right personnel moves on offense.
2. I’m not an Ahkello Witherspoon fan. I’ve seen him do it a few times now where he makes gestures on the field to other players after he gives up a completion. Those gestures are intended for the camera’s. He’s yelling as loud as he can, “Wasn’t my fault.” Those types of guys have no place in a team sport. He needs to clean that up quickly or he needs to be gone.
if you dont have a decent pass rush you dont win in this league.we emphatically do not have a rush at all.they need to fix this first before drafting wide receivers that cant get open and cant break a tackle to get a crucial first down.(bourne,pettis)
Posters are ripping Saleh, but they really should be ripping KS. He is the stubborn one who insists he can be HC and OC at the same time. Bill Walsh could do that, but he was a genius, and KS seems to implode when stressed.
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KS should admit he cannot be the OC, while ignoring the defense. A HC is also responsible for the defense, and he did not assign the task of DC to a person like Wade Phillips, who used to be a HC and was a DC for a SB Team, KS picked an untested LB coach.
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KS then gets up on the podium and acts like a petulant child. At least Tomsula pointed at his chest and accepted all blame, which shows true leadership. Missed assignments? That is KS’s fault. Undisciplined play? KS’s fault. Poor game management? All on KS. Improper personnel on the field? KS owns that. Wasting time outs like a drunken sailor, that may have led to the loss? KS is in the spot light, if not the hot seat.
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If KS wants to be only the OC, he should resign and let a more competent person lead. The HC is responsible for the whole team, not just play calling. With competent leadership, the Niners could easily have been 6-4, even with JG going down.
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Grant said that he got under his skin. If a freakin’ journalist can do that to KS, imagine what the opponents will do to him. KS needs to grow up, or be sent to his corner to sulk. The Niners are not his toy, that he gets to play with, it is a solemn, and sobering responsibility that affects the players, the coaches, and thousands of fans.
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I blame Jed, too. He is the freakin’ owner, and he is being content to see this once proud franchise lose in such a humiliating fashion. Jed needs to man up, and save KS from himself. He should order KS to hire an OC. Jed will be the one paying the OC, so it does not affect the salary cap one iota. If he does not pay for an OC, then I will call Jed a cheapskate, who deserves to lose.
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Maybe since Jed and KS are acting like little boys, JL needs to be the adult in the room. JL should be the voice of reason, and he needs to get both of them to understand the problem, and the best way to fix it. JL should ask both boys why they think an OC would hurt the team. They both will not have a leg to stand on, so JL should convince both boys that an OC might help them win.
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The easiest solution would be to promote Bobby Turner, who has been a coach for decades and has been an OC before. Then they can re-hire Tom Rathman to be the RB coach.
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Maybe KS should promote Scangarello, the QB coach. Heck, they could get MS to be the OC. Anything is better than not having an OC.
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JL and Jed’s word ring hollow. They are not doing everything in their power to win. They are sitting on their hands. Yes it is KS’s prerogative to not have an OC, but when they lose like that, he must accept all blame. With great power, comes great responsibility, and all three are failing miserably.
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They need to get a clue. It is not working. I still have not heard a good reason why having an OC would hurt the team. It may hurt KS’s feelings? I am way past that.
That’s what it comes down to , hurting KS’s feelings, too big an ego , it’ll bring the team down unless he loses it for good
Gee Sebbie… I know you’re a sensitive, caring human being. For you to withhold respect for Kyle is very telling–Kyle must be swine. And to no longer care about hurting his feelings–that’s gotta sting Kyle, a dagger to his heart. He’s not worthy of you Sebbie–thanks for clearing up the confusion. He should: 1) apologize to you first (and 9er fandom second), 2) resign quietly today, and 3) move to rural North Dakota and life out his life in shame at a donation center.
How dare Kyle ruin your life Sebbie. I’m in tears at the very thought. Sniff.
Cassie,
Great comment for sebbie such a great football genius!
Blah,…blah,…blah,…blah,…etc….
KS spoke to me indirectly by pontificating that he wanted Mullens to stay in the pocket to deliver the ball.
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I have been the one advocating that Mullens roll out more. In the Raiders game, Mullens rolled out 4 times and threw 2 TD passes.
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They think they are so clever. They post a list of 9 PS members, but leave out Golditch, the 10th one. Why? because he fit my narrative that they should poach a player from an upcoming opponent to gain intel.
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Then they post pictures of GB contests, and conveniently leave out Kaep. Guess who is the most vocal Kaep supporter on this site? At least JL had the class to apologize for the omission.
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I posted that the Niners should consider time outs to be precious, and saved for legitimate challenges and the last 2 minutes of each half. KS decides he does not need to follow my advice, so he wastes them like a drunken sailor. Sure wished they had kept those 2 time outs to stop the clock. Too bad the Niners ran out of time.
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So yes, Cassie, even KS admitted he read the media, and did not like negative coverage, because that would adversely affect his players. Therefor, I will continue to write like KS dotes on my every word.
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I have not called for KS to be fired. I wrote that he should resign if he cannot lead the team as the HC. He could still be the OC, a position he is good at. I just want KS to improve, and hiring an OC may help them win.
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If he lost once that way, I could cut him some slack, but after 4 times, he is hurting the team. Actually, KS once stood up and said that as HC, he will get the blame for losses, and little credit for the victories. He knows the drill. Too bad he then threw Mullens under the bus.
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Is KS ruining my life? No. However, he is ruining my enjoyment of a team I love. I will keep rooting for my team, because those Glory Years will sustain me, and I yearn for a return to Niner relevance. When the team devolves into the Keystone cops with a raw rookie hiking the ball over the QBs head, I will call them out, KS included.
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KS should get a clue. The Emperor has no clothes. He is only fooling himself, and maybe you, too.
I’m weeping Sebbie….
That stench of Baalke is making my eyes water.
Lynch should have done more to get Mack.
I remember last years draft how everyone ripped the Bears GM on the trade for Trubisky.
But he’s the one laughing now.
Thomas is a bust and aside from Kittle Lynch’s first draft was a bust.
Then he out bid him and got the best edge rusher in the NFL.
Trubisky is playing lights out.
Oh and they have Fangio the guy we let go.
He’s pretty good too.
Nobody is calling Lynch a genius now.