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1) Regardless of the Outcome, the 49ers Are a Playoff Team
The atmosphere from Levi's Stadium tonight was nothing short of electric. Tonight's game had the feel of a playoff game. Just two years ago, the 49ers started a complete rebuild and now they are 8-1 and still atop the NFC. Despite the injuries and all of the adversity, San Francisco fought back and nearly won a very difficult overtime game. It showed everyone that though it may not win every game, it is a legitimate division and conference contender and after watching the last five seasons as well as the post-Steve Young era, it's fun to be a 49ers fan again.
2) The Offensive Line Got Dominated
I'll get to Jimmy Garoppolo's woes later, but this cannot be overstated. The offensive line got pushed around. Jadaveon Clowney had his way with both Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey. Garoppolo was under constant pressure and the league's best ground game never really got going. The pressure definitely affected the game as there were two big fumbles forced that resulted in 14 points the other way. This unit must regroup as the games won't get any easier.
3) Playing "Short-Handed"
Despite going into the game missing George Kittle and Robbie Gould, things started out very well in the first quarter for the 49ers. They were able to get up 10-0 and it looked like the 49ers might beat up Seattle en route to a 9-0 start. Then Emmanuel Sanders left the game with a rib injury and did not return. While Deebo Samuel had a good game, the rest of the receivers did not step up enough. Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis were simply non-existent and dropped everything thrown their way. Kendrick Bourne played well early, but had two drops that ended in one interception and nearly another that would have ended the game.
Now that doesn't let Jimmy Garoppolo off the hook. He played well enough to win the game. Chase McLaughlin had his opportunity to win it following a Garoppolo-led drive that started just beyond the San Francisco 25. However, there's not getting around the inaccurate throws. There were a number of them and let's not forget that Seattle dropped three interceptions that all would have ended the game. Garoppolo has been making most of the throws he needs to in order to win, but he has to get better. He should be able to put the ball closer to where the receiver doesn't always have to make a great play.
On the flip-side, he made several good throws that were dropped. The injuries were big tonight, but in the end, enough plays were made to close out the game in overtime. The kick was missed. By the backup rookie kicker. It happens.
4) Extra Points
- Emmanuel Sanders left the game with a rib injury. He will receive an MRI on Tuesday. Hopefully, it isn't serious.
- Dre Greenlaw, who took over for Kwon Alexander, played a very good game tonight and set up the potential game-winning field goal with a terrific interception in overtime.
- Other injuries tonight included defensive end Ronald Blair who may have torn his ACL, defensive tackle D.J. Jones (groin), and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion). Blair and Jones will also receive MRIs on Tuesday.
- I'll say it. The officials completely botched the spot on Raheem Mostert's run in overtime. He had the first down and the official who had the best view signaled first down, only to be overruled. New York, of course, was lazy and took the easy way out and upheld the ruling. A first down in that situation likely sets up a better kick for McLaughlin. Instead, he missed a 47-yard field goal. We can probably find bad calls on both sides, as we could in any game, but that was a big one.
- The bottom line for tonight: Both teams played admirably in a very difficult matchup. The quarterbacks finished with similar numbers and in the end, it came down to the kickers. Unfortunately, ours missed.
