The San Francisco 49ers offense showed plenty of life against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Unfortunately, the defense can't say the same. It couldn't contain quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams' high-powered attack, resulting in a 42-26 loss at Levi's Stadium.
With key defensive players sidelined, there has been a growing belief that the 49ers' offense must play near-perfect football to secure wins. However, one 49ers star isn't buying into that narrative.
"I don't think we need to be perfect," tight end George Kittle said after Sunday's loss. "Again, Mac Jones has been our quarterback for how many weeks? He's our backup quarterback, and he has been playing really, really well."
Mac Jones continues to fill in for Brock Purdy, who remains sidelined with a turf toe injury. The 49ers' offense has also been without several key playmakers for much of the season.
"We don't have Ricky Pearsall. We don't have Brandon Aiyuk. I missed five games," Kittle added.
Pearsall hasn't played since Week 4 due to a knee injury, while Aiyuk remains out as he recovers from ACL and MCL injuries sustained last season. Kittle, meanwhile, missed five games earlier this year while on injured reserve with a hamstring injury before returning in Week 7.
Kittle praised his teammates' competitiveness as they navigate through adversity.
"We have a bunch of guys out there who just love playing football," Kittle said. "Kendrick Bourne had like 300 yards in back-to-back weeks (284 total receiving yards in Weeks 5 and 6). We have guys who can make plays and guys who love playing football."
The 49ers offense totaled 393 yards against the Rams, but the defense—currently ranked 21st in the NFL, allowing 339.4 yards per game—continues to struggle due to injuries.
Kittle acknowledges that while perfection isn't necessary, the offense needs to help the struggling defense.
"Our offense has to play at an incredibly high level," Kittle said. "We have to score a lot of points. We have not turn the ball over. I think our defense is going to get better and better throughout the [season], because we still have a lot of young guys and we have a lot of guys missing, but we have to help out our defense. That's the way the season has to go.
"Our offense has to play at a high level, efficient, not turn the ball over, score points, score in the red zone, and then we'll win a lot of games. But if we're not doing that, that's going to happen."
Kittle believes San Francisco has enough veteran leadership and offensive firepower to stay competitive down the stretch.
"I don't think it's a pressure thing on us," Kittle said. "It's just like, 'Hey, go out there and execute. You know how to do it.' Our receiving room has two 30-year-olds in it. We're smart enough to go out there and play.
"And Jauan [Jennings] has been in this offense long enough to where we just have to go out there and execute, not turn the ball over, do what we're supposed to do, and our offense should score a lot of points."