Christian McCaffrey, Offense Stalled in Standstill

The San Francisco 49ers concluded their regular season with a challenging face-off against the Seattle Seahawks, ending in a disappointing 13-3 loss at Levi’s Stadium. This defeat capped the 49ers’ season with a record of 12-5, while the Seahawks improved to 14-3.

Performance Overview: 49ers Grading Breakdown

Pass Offense: Struggles on Display

The 49ers’ passing game faltered painfully. Quarterback Brock Purdy faced a season-high onslaught of three sacks and eight hits, resulting in a shoulder injury. He managed just 127 passing yards, the lowest of his season, notably lacking long completions.

• Christian McCaffrey’s crucial interception in the fourth quarter halted a potential comeback.
• George Kittle was the only receiver able to stretch the field, catching one pass for 20 yards.
• Notable absences included left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Run Offense: Major Setbacks

Christian McCaffrey’s performance was below par, finishing with only 23 rushing yards on eight attempts. This brought his season total to 1,202 yards, placing him sixth in the NFL. His average of 3.9 yards per carry marks the lowest since his rookie year in 2017. Despite some contributions, the running game was largely ineffective.

• Purdy recorded the longest runs with scrambles of 10 and 11 yards.
• McCaffrey also added 34 receiving yards, leading the team in catches with six.

Pass Defense: Minimal Pressure

Defensively, the 49ers struggled to contain Seattle’s offense. Quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked twice but managed to remain turnover-free. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 198 yards.

• Deommodore Lenoir faced criticism for a pass interference penalty that could have cost more points.
• Jackson Smith-Njigba amassed 84 receiving yards, bringing his league-leading total to 1,793 yards.
• The team notched only 20 sacks throughout the season, the lowest in the NFL.

Run Defense: Missed Tackles Amplified Vulnerabilities

The 49ers’ defensive unit allowed a staggering 180 rushing yards, indicating significant gaps in tackling. Key injuries hindered linebacker performances, with Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters exiting mid-game.

• Kenneth Walker’s third-down conversion run exemplified defensive breakdowns.
• The run defense’s failure was particularly glaring in a game with significant playoff implications.

Special Teams: Inconsistent Contributions

Special teams posed further issues for the 49ers, achieving limited success. A lone field goal from Eddy Piñeiro marked the only points of the game.

• Punt coverage mistakes contributed to the Seahawks’ touchdown opportunities.
• Robinson’s fumbled kickoff return put the team in difficult field position.

Coaching: Disappointing Outcomes

Expectations were high heading into this pivotal matchup. However, the coaching staff faced criticism for a lackluster performance, nearly allowing the first shutout under coach Kyle Shanahan’s tenure.

• This loss matched the team’s lowest scoring output since 2017.
• The inability to force turnovers persisted, marking the eighth game without a takeaway.

Overall, the post-season looks challenging for the San Francisco 49ers unless they address these critical issues head-on. The performance against Seattle was a wake-up call, demanding immediate and thorough improvements.