How in the world can this unit be this consistently terrible? Quite possibly the worst unit this team has fielded in 3 decades. You can't even consider kicking or punting the ball to the other team.
From the stands, it looked like Morstead might have tweaked something chasing on that TD return. Absolutely horrendous coverage.
Pineiro looked solid though.
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Special Teams
Sep 29, 2025 at 6:08 AM
- Patton
- Veteran
- Posts: 6,469
Oct 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
- Cosmo
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,604
Special teams finally looked like a good unit tonight. Hopefully they continue to improve, but the blocked PAT turned out to be the difference in the game. Kudos!
Oct 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
- DRCHOWDER
- Veteran
- Posts: 22,027
Special teams said watch this.
Nov 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
- ninerfan4life
- Veteran
- Posts: 26,923
#49ers special teams EPA right now is 39.73, which is second in the NFL, only behind Seattle.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 25, 2025
Through 12 games last year, the Niners had special teams EPA of -35.49, which was last in the NFL.
An astounding jump and a big reason for their turnaround despite the other issues.
Nov 25, 2025 at 7:07 PM
- 49ersRing
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,218
Originally posted by ninerfan4life:
#49ers special teams EPA right now is 39.73, which is second in the NFL, only behind Seattle.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 25, 2025
Through 12 games last year, the Niners had special teams EPA of -35.49, which was last in the NFL.
An astounding jump and a big reason for their turnaround despite the other issues.
#1 in the NFL after the week 1 kicker change which is pretty incredible.
Nov 30, 2025 at 6:04 PM
- LottDMontanaO
- Veteran
- Posts: 7,870
Today was a perfect example of what a good ST group can do to help get Ws. Finally, this team has very good ST under this regime.
In today's NFL with so much parity and smaller margins for error, the 3rd Phase of the game is that much more important. Glad to see this team putting much more focus & better coaching for ST.
In today's NFL with so much parity and smaller margins for error, the 3rd Phase of the game is that much more important. Glad to see this team putting much more focus & better coaching for ST.
Nov 30, 2025 at 6:05 PM
- tohara3
- Veteran
- Posts: 31,034
Originally posted by 49ersRing:
Originally posted by ninerfan4life:
#49ers special teams EPA right now is 39.73, which is second in the NFL, only behind Seattle.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 25, 2025
Through 12 games last year, the Niners had special teams EPA of -35.49, which was last in the NFL.
An astounding jump and a big reason for their turnaround despite the other issues.
#1 in the NFL after the week 1 kicker change which is pretty incredible.
That is awesome to see
Dec 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
- 49ersRing
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,218
#NFL Kickoff Returns #NYJ lead the league in kickoff returns - 16.7% reach at least the 40-yard line, plus 1 TD. #SF ranks 2nd, averaging a drive start at their own 34.4-yard line. pic.twitter.com/sIPawV8wIC
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 (@sfdata9ers) December 3, 2025
#2 in average starting position on kickoffs.
Special Teams EPA since Week 2 pic.twitter.com/VLm9DRvDIp
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 (@sfdata9ers) December 2, 2025
Post-Moody we've been #1 in ST EPA by a sizable margin.
Jan 18, 2026 at 12:29 AM
- LottDMontanaO
- Veteran
- Posts: 7,870
This game we saw yet again this team's ST failing them when it matters most in the playoffs.
The last time the Niners were in the playoffs two years ago their ST failed them in the SB in opening the door for Chiefs late in the 3rd (thanks Luter) to score their first TD. Today vs. the Seahawks, they give up an opening kickoff TD return to set the tone/momentum for the Seahawks & get their crowd into the game from the outset.
The postseason failures of this team's ST & OL have been the Achilles' heel under Shanahan IMO. Will it ever change - will it ever improve? It needs to in order to greatly improve chances at attaining #6 for this franchise.
One can only hope.
The last time the Niners were in the playoffs two years ago their ST failed them in the SB in opening the door for Chiefs late in the 3rd (thanks Luter) to score their first TD. Today vs. the Seahawks, they give up an opening kickoff TD return to set the tone/momentum for the Seahawks & get their crowd into the game from the outset.
The postseason failures of this team's ST & OL have been the Achilles' heel under Shanahan IMO. Will it ever change - will it ever improve? It needs to in order to greatly improve chances at attaining #6 for this franchise.
One can only hope.
Jan 18, 2026 at 6:02 AM
- pdc20
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,315
The Special Teams were way better this season let's be honest. There's been a clear improvement.
But yeah, yesterday that was bad. You can not start a PO game with a kickoff TD return. You can't.
The Niners needed to have a lead in this game to put pressure on Seattle.
But yeah, yesterday that was bad. You can not start a PO game with a kickoff TD return. You can't.
The Niners needed to have a lead in this game to put pressure on Seattle.
Jan 18, 2026 at 1:07 PM
- mcwoot
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,959
ST took a huge step up this season and it was great to see. We all knew Moody wasn't the answer and as frustrating as it was seeing him on the initial 53 we lucked out with Pinero available and hopefully they lock him up. Skyy was just OK and can be upgraded
Jan 18, 2026 at 5:26 PM
- jcs
- Veteran
- Posts: 39,931
Outside of our PK with the exception of a few seasons under moody this faucet of the team has been pretty bad throught Kyle's entire 9 years here. It's hard to win when you know your special teams is going to lose before the game even starts.
Oct 11, 2026 at 1:54 PM
- LottDMontanaO
- Veteran
- Posts: 7,870
A big flaw that continues in big games for this team in recent years is the failure of Special Teams. You can't have muffed punt returns in big games. Otherwise, you flip momentum to the other team right away.
Was really hoping they would bring Skyy Moore back for his kick and punt returns. That guy was steady and dependable.
Was really hoping they would bring Skyy Moore back for his kick and punt returns. That guy was steady and dependable.
Oct 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM
- the_dynasty
- Veteran
- Posts: 4,718
The special teams are back to being pretty bad.
Five missed kicks by Eddie (3 FGs out of 8 and 2 PATs out of 19), muffed punts (Cowing/Neal), bad return coverage... and the lone bright spot was Neals fumble recovery.
Five missed kicks by Eddie (3 FGs out of 8 and 2 PATs out of 19), muffed punts (Cowing/Neal), bad return coverage... and the lone bright spot was Neals fumble recovery.
[ Edited by the_dynasty on Oct 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM ]
Oct 13, 2026 at 10:47 AM
- Giedi
- Veteran
- Posts: 34,861
Originally posted by the_dynasty:
The special teams are back to being pretty bad.
Five missed kicks by Eddie (3 FGs out of 8 and 2 PATs out of 19), muffed punts (Cowing/Neal), bad return coverage... and the lone bright spot was Neals fumble recovery.
Hopefully they can correct it before the Washington game. Wish they kept Sky Moore though.