SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers lost to the Rams 16-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense.
Offensive line: D. They were dominated by the Rams defensive line all game. They gave up constant pressure when Kaepernick dropped back, and they could not open holes in the running game. They also were flagged for numerous penalties.
Running backs: D. Frank Gore – 23 rushes for 58 yards, and one of those rushes was for 23 yards, so the other 22 were for 35 yards, which is 1.59 yards per carry.
Brandon Jacobs carried 4 times for 6 yards in limited exposure, and everybody knows what he is as a ball carrier.
Kendall Hunter was a change of pace runner with outside speed that Gore really does not have. With Hunter injured, the Rams basically played the Niners run game as a between-the-tackles package with occasional off-tackle and counter gap plays but no real outside threat.
The 49ers need a “scat-back” type to complement Gore. It doesn’t seem like LaMichael James is ready to be that back.
Gore runs like an old man at times. How much burst does he have left in his legs?
Wide receivers: B. Michael Crabtree was not targeted in the first quarter, but he ended up with seven catches for 101 yards. He’s been terrific after the catch all season. Randy Moss had 30 receiving yards, and Mario Manningham had 37 receiving yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. The 49ers could really use A.J. Jenkins to step up down the playoff stretch with injuries to Kyle Williams and now Manningham.
Tight ends: D. Vernon Davis was missing in action once again – he was only targeted three times. He was a big contributor in previous Kaepernick starts – why did Davis disappear today? Delanie Walker dropped a touchdown pass and followed that up with a drive-killing holding penalty.
