Glendale, Arizona — The 49ers received an E as their season-ending grade.
Nick Bosa, the defensive end for the 49ers, will explain.
After the 49ers’ 47-24 season-ending loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium, Bosa remarked, “It’s kind of [an] embarrassment.”
“It’s not pleasant. As a team leader, it’s challenging to look the boys in the face. It’s quite shameful that we continued to release that product game after game.
The 49ers had a 6-11 record at the end of the 2024 NFL season, having lost seven of their eight games. In the NFC West, they finished last.
This is the report card from the 49ers’ defeat by the Cardinals in Week 18.
The San Francisco 49ers’ offensive rush
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On the game’s fourth play, Isaac Guerendo was injured to his knee and ankle. Patrick Taylor Jr. was given the opportunity and delivered a performance that was the best of his career. Taylor made 17 rushes for 109 yards. He became one of just two 49ers rushing backs this season to surpass 100 yards, along with Jordan Mason.
Taylor displayed a strong combination of strength and burst to average 6.4 yards per rushing attempt, while the 49ers’ patchwork offensive line did an excellent job of creating gaps in the running game.
Grade: B-minus
Passing the Crime
When Jauan Jennings was sent out late in the first half following consecutive needless roughness penalties, Joshua Dobbs, who was starting for the 49ers for the first time, lost his favorite target. With seven catches for 72 yards at the end of the game, Jennings came within 25 yards of reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the season.
Dobbs performed admirably. For a career-high 326 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, he completed 29 of 43 ball attempts. He received an 86.0 pass rating.
In the second quarter, rookie Ricky Pearsall made his homecoming and entered the end zone with a 6-yard touchdown grab. Pearsall finished with 69 yards from six receptions. Chris Conley added 59 yards from four catches.
Grade: C-plus
Hurrying to the Defense
It was one of the better games for the 49ers’ running defense, which wasn’t exactly a shining star this season. However, they did not play the entire game.
With just 43 yards on 17 rushing attempts, Cardinals running back Michael Carter was unable to get anything going against the 49ers’ front seven.
During the game, Sam Okuayinonu, Talanoa Hufanga, and Fred Warner each recorded a tackle for loss.
But after the two-minute warning, Tony Jones Jr., who had been promoted from the practice squad, took a handoff over the left side for a 46-yard touchdown, bringing the game to a bitter close.
Grade: D
Getting Past the Defense
It was evident that the 49ers had to use their backup depth.
Kyler Murray, the quarterback, had an incredible game against the 49ers’ defense. He gained 242 yards and four touchdowns on 25 of 35 passes.
The 49ers’ inability to produce any takeaways is the main issue, and it was the thing that killed them in the second half of the season.
Rock Ya-Sin, the backup cornerback, was disciplined for pass interference and improper contact. Murray’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. was made possible by the latter, a 24-yard violation.
Grade: F
Special Units
It did not exactly go as planned for Jake Moody, who was hoping to enter the offseason with some success under his belt. For Moody, who kicked and missed a kick in the first half, it was more of the same.
In the first half, the 49ers also allowed a fake punt that prolonged a drive and resulted in a field goal for Arizona.
Grade: F
Play-calling was done by offensive passing game expert Klay Kubiak, and the 49ers amassed 436 yards of total offense.
Nick Sorensen’s defense was ruthless. They appeared to have little chance of leaving the field, even if they were playing a number of reserves.
The 49ers were humiliated by the Los Angeles Rams’ phony punt in Week 3 on special teams. After that, whenever the 49ers were at a spot on the field where a fake punt was thought to be an option, they usually kept their defense on the field. On a fourth-and-four situation in the first half, they failed to do so, and the Cardinals were successful with a direct snap to fullback DeeJay Dallas for a 22-yard gain.
Coach Kyle Shanahan is to blame for it.
Grade: D
All things considered, the 49ers’ season concluded appropriately.
The 49ers suffered from injuries, lost the turnover war, poor coaching, poor performance, and other issues.
The 49ers’ next season starts now, more than a month ahead of schedule.
Grade: D
