13 “still angry” observations from the 49ers’ loss in Seattle

I'm not too ashamed to admit it, but this loss made me more angry than most. The San Francisco 49ers are a much better team than the Seattle Seahawks. They should have beaten the Seahawks by double-digits; instead they lost in Seattle yet again.

Losing is bad enough, but losing to the Seahawks is even worse. I wanted to see Russell Wilson sad. Instead, I saw him happy, as the old Wilson returned. You know, the one who is now 16-4 against the 49ers.

I wanted to see Pete Carroll get angry and swallow his gum. And yet, what I had to watch was Carroll smiling and dancing, while still chewing his stupid gum. I bet he talks with food in his mouth, too.

So it's taken me a few days to write out my observations. Mostly because I needed to cool down. Had I written this on Sunday night, or even the next day, my observations would have been even more laced with ire. Yet, cooler heads prevailed, and what I've written is not quite as irate. But I'm still angry.

With that in mind, here are my 13 "still angry" observations from Sunday's loss to the hated Seahawks.

• Trenton Cannon was injured on the first play of the game. It looked very serious, as they brought an ambulance on to the field to carry him off. He was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. He spent the night in the hospital, but returned to the Bay area the next day. I'm thankful to know he's ok.
• The 49ers special teams were horrible on Sunday, yet again. Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower, has not performed well lately. Sure, he's not the one missing kicks or tackles, or fumbling, but something is off. That fake punt alone seems to be a coaching issue. I can understand giving up a first down, but a 73-yard touchdown run by a backup running back?

• D.J. Jones forced a turnover, a fumble recovered by Emmanuel Moseley. It turned into a touchdown, as Jimmy Garoppolo hit George Kittle with a 24-yard touchdown pass on the very next play.
• Tight end George Kittle had a huge game. He had nine catches for 181 yards, plus two touchdowns. And that doesn't even mention what he did as a blocker. Kittle is such a force! Oh, and he also ran the ball once for five yards.
• Elijah Mitchell does not like to go down. He's a load! He only had 66 yards rushing in this game, but he scored a touchdown.
• Tom Compton is still terrible. He's actually been good lately in his run blocking. But pass blocking is definitely his weakness. On Sunday, his lack of ability to protect Garoppolo turned into a safety. Those two points tied the game, and gave the ball (and the momentum) back to Seattle.
• The 49ers cornerback situation is still concerning. Starter Emmanuel Moseley went down with an injury, making matters worse. He has a high ankle sprain and will miss multiple weeks. It may be time for the rookies to play...and then again, maybe not. Today Kyle Shanahan spoke about how impressed he's been with Dontae Johnson.

• I feel like I write this every week, but Josh Norman is horrible. And with Moseley's injury, Norman is CB1. Scary, huh?
• Garoppolo was not good on Sunday. He threw two interceptions, had a potential game-winning touchdown pass batted down, and had some other poorly thrown passes. The overthrow to Kyle Juszczyk may have been a touchdown. That said, he still passed for 299 yards and had the two touchdown throws, both to Kittle.
• Robbie Gould missed a PAT. He's gone from Mr. Reliable to Mr. Inconsistent in a hurry. If the 49ers had scored the touchdown at the end of the game, they would have had to kick the PAT to tie it, or go for two to win it. Gould's miss would have loomed large, and possibly cost the team the game.
• The pass rush was back for this game. They sacked Russell Wilson four times.
• The 49ers scored 23 points in the first half of Sunday's game. They scored zero in the second half. That's not exactly how you put a team away.
• The 49ers converted only 30% on third down. San Francisco out-gained Seattle in yards, had the same amount of turnovers, sacked Wilson four times, took the ball away when Seattle was at the goal line twice…and still lost.

And now, at 6-6, the 49ers travel to Cincinnati to take on a 7-5 Bengals team. The Bengals have a really good offense, and will be a huge challenge for a 49ers defense missing its top corners. Fortunately, the 49ers should get Fred Warner back. Still, this will be a tough game to win.

• Marc Adams
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