49ers 13, Saints 27: Predictable, but disappointing.
The 49ers shoot themselves in the foot and drop a winnable game against the Saints amid a three game skid. They enter the bye-week at 4-6.
(New Orleans, LA) - Well. That was predictably ugly. But what made it maddening was the fact that the 49ers… could have easily won this game. This game was supposed to be a massive blowout, against a Saints team coming off a dominant victory vs. the Brady Bucs. Instead, the Saints struggled all game offensively - and yet the 49ers could not capitalize.
The #1 reason, of course, was QB play. Mullens was not good, to say the least. 2 interceptions to 1 TD, and although his completion percentage and yard total were not bad, it does not show the poor play he exhibited on screen - this was an embarrassing performance for the 25 year old. CJ Beathard got a grand total of one snap, which promptly hit a Saints defender right in the hands, and Shanahan went straight back to Mullens. It’s clear that this team misses competent QB play - even if it is not elite QB play, with Jimmy Garoppolo.
On defense, Robert Saleh once again is proving that he does deserve a head coaching job, somewhere, someday - an outstanding performance against a very good offense, coming in ranked #6 in DVOA in the NFL today. One thing that is seldom mentioned when discussing Saleh’s job prospects is his ability to develop talent, specifically, late round LBs. Saleh is a former LB coach, and in his tenure, he took Fred Warner, a 3rd round pick, and made him the best LB in the league. Dre Greenlaw is fast rising as one of the better LBs in football, and he was a 5th rounder. Even his worst pick as a DC, Reuben Foster, was incredible on the field in his rookie season - before imploding off the field. Saleh can clearly evaluate talent and develop it - and that will appeal to teams that still have question marks about it.
Also a story in this game - Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk had great games. Kinlaw had his best game so far, notching a sack and multiple stops while being disruptive all day against fellow first round pick, Cesar Ruiz. You love to see him showing what he can do. Jordan Reed looked dominant today. When he is healthy, there’s an argument for him being a top 5 TE in the league - still. Just wish that Kittle and Reed could get on the field together. He’s essentially a massive slot WR - which is big-time in a Shanahan offense. Really good hands.
In general, a ton of positives to take away from this game. The special teams issues and turnovers killed the 49ers today, and Trent Taylor might be done as a 49er. Can’t imagine the 49ers bring back an ineffective player that is now making mistakes too. James Jr also had a costly muff, but his play the rest of the game made up for it. The 49ers kept this game close but kept shooting themselves in the foot, as Pat pointed out during halftime.
On to the bye week.
Sadly, the 49ers did not escape the Big Easy without the trademarked injury. JaMycal Hasty sustained a broken/fractured collarbone and is expected to miss a lot of time, likely the remainder of the season. The 49ers will get Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman back soon, but regardless, yet another tough loss.
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Injuries will not allow this team to be anything close to a playoff team. Continue to play hard, get a higher draft pick and then come back in 2021 healthy and better.