Maiocco’s observations: 49ers’ playoff odds dwindle with loss to Rams

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers' defense delivered a big performance against the high-powered Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. But the offense dropped the ball in a 12-6 loss to the Rams at Levi's Stadium. And that's how the 49ers' 2024 season, in effect, ended. A week earlier, the Rams produced offensive fireworks in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers' defense certainly played well enough to win on Thursday, but Brock Purdy and the offense could not get things going. Here are the takeaways from the 49ers' loss, which drops them to 6-8 on the season: Samuel's tough sledding Wide receiver Deebo Samuel went to social media this week to exclaim that he is not struggling. He suggested that he is merely lacking opportunities. When he got his big chance on Thursday night, he flubbed it. In a 3-3 game in the middle of the third quarter, Purdy delivered a perfectly thrown pass for Samuel that would have picked up a lot more than just a first down on a third-and-10 play from the Rams' 29. But Samuel dropped the pass, and the 49ers had to settle for a field goal to take a 6-3. pic.twitter.com/OwYzeDJwOz— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 13, 2024 Samuel did not make the...