49ers vs. Raiders: Full Report Card Grades for San Francisco
The San Francisco 49ers dropped a 24-13 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 14, which might have put a cap on any hopes for head coach Jim Harbaugh's squad to return to the playoffs for the fourth-straight season.
Yet the loss indicated so much more than dwindling postseason hopes. In reality, it highlighted a season-long struggle on offense. It reinforced thoughts that Harbaugh will not be in San Francisco for the final year of his contract in 2015. Questions will surround whether or not quarterback Colin Kaepernick is progressing at all this year.
Oakland entered the contest with a 1-11 record and had recently been handled by the St. Louis Rams 52-0 in Week 13. San Francisco was trying to correct things after an embarrassing 19-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks during the same week.
The Raiders did what they needed to do to upset the 49ers' chances. San Francisco looked all but defeated from the third quarter onward.
"Instant Replay: #49ers fall flat in Oakland, lose 24-13 (via @MaioccoCSN) http://t.co/zCCx9WWIXQ #NFL #49ersTalk pic.twitter.com/0irgy7sJuh
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) December 8, 2014"
In all, the 49ers offense mustered just 248 yards and just 13 points. This game marked the fourth-consecutive contest in which San Francisco generated fewer than 17 points. Needless to say, the grades for each unit—particularly on offense—will not be pretty.
Grades are issued based on statistics, in-game impact and how each unit affected the outcome.
But for the 49ers, it will be hard to find many positives emanating out of this rough loss.
Quarterback
1 of 10
The Raiders had mustered just 13 sacks prior to Week 14. They added five more to this total against quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense.
Most of these were on Kaepernick, who struggled all day with his pocket poise and decision making—an element that revealed itself on San Francisco's first offensive play.
Kaepernick threw an interception to defensive back Brandian Ross at the start of the game, which started a disappointing performance from the 49ers signal-caller.
"And Colin Kaepernick tries to send Michael Crabtree deep on scramble drill and Brandion Ross comes over to pick it off.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 7, 2014"
Taylor Price of 49ers.com broke down what happened on the play:
"On a play-action fake to Frank Gore on San Francisco’s opening offensive snap, Colin Kaepernick looked at Vernon Davis for a possible flag pattern, but the 49ers tight end was covered tightly. So instead of running the ball for a short gain, Kaepernick tried to improvise a throw to Michael Crabtree and ended up over-throwing his intended target. Raiders safety Brandian Ross intercepted Kaepernick to give the home team instant momentum.
The early turnover led to a 57-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal.
"
Kaepernick threw another interception in the fourth quarter, which symbolized a performance in which he finished with just 174 passing yards, one touchdown and two picks—numbers which resulted in a 54.4 quarterback rating.
Some of these frustrations boiled over when Kaepernick pushed a cameraman while heading off the field during halftime.
The lone positive out of Kaepernick's performance was an eight-yard touchdown reception by fullback Bruce Miller—the lone end-zone score San Francisco had on the day.
Whatever the case may be, Kaepernick and the 49ers offense is in shambles right now. Questions surrounding the 27-year-old quarterback's development will likely continue as San Francisco has to prepare for a road contest against the Seahawks in Week 15.
Grade: D-
Running Back
2 of 10
Running back Frank Gore averaged 5.3 yards per carry, but only got 12 carries against a Raiders defense that had allowed 1,566 yards on the ground prior to Week 14—sixth highest in the NFL.
One would have thought San Francisco's ground game would have been a featured part of the offense. There were moments in which Gore gained substantial yardage on the ground which, in turn, could have thwarted a depleted and inept Raiders defense.
Yet Gore was not used to a large degree against Oakland, which will continue to prompt questions about San Francisco's offensive identity.
"I just don't feel like we're us," Gore said via Taylor Price of 49ers.com. "It's [been] hard to get into a rhythm."
"Frank Gore: "I just don't feel like we're us. It's (been) hard to get into a rhythm."
— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) December 8, 2014"
No. 2 back Carlos Hyde was also scantly used. He had only two carries for four yards.
San Francisco has struggled to find any sort of identity this season. Week 14's loss only reinforces the theory that the offense lacks what it takes to move the ball effectively, be it through the air or on the ground.
Fortunately, Gore did post solid numbers in his relatively few carries. At least this is a small bright spot in what was a largely inept offensive performance.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
It's hard to put up numbers when the quarterback isn't effectively getting his receivers the ball. It's also difficult when those receivers aren't getting open or catching would-be easy receptions.
Such was the case with wideouts Anquan Boldin and Stevie Johnson, each of whom dropped catchable passes during the contest.
Michael Crabtree led all 49ers receivers with nine catches for 56 yards. But he was targeted 14 times, which helps illustrate the lack of connection with Colin Kaepernick.
Crabtree's efforts were not enough to provide San Francisco with the offensive thump that has been lacking in recent weeks. He and the other receivers amassed just 174 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per catch.
Tight end Vernon Davis did get involved with the play-calling, though. He hauled in two passes for 26 yards, which was obviously not enough to reinforce the 49ers' lackluster passing offense. His long of 23 yards was his second-longest reception on the year per Eric Branch of SFGate.com.
"That 23-yard catch was Vernon Davis' second-longest of the season. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 7, 2014"
The pedestrian numbers also reinforce the notion that the 49ers lack any sort of identity or effective approach on offense. The lack of speed has also been a hindrance as opposing defensive backs haven't been forced to spread out to respect a deep threat.
Grade: D+
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
The continuity of San Francisco's offensive line bore more tests on Sunday as injuries befell linemen Mike Iupati and Marcus Martin. The O-line was also without right tackle Anthony Davis, who was out of the lineup with a concussion.
Jonathan Martin started in place of Davis and subsequently struggled. He gave up one of the Raiders' five sacks on the day. And keep in mind that Oakland had amassed only 13 sacks prior to the contest.
While some of those were on Colin Kaepernick, it was clear that the O-line's problems with pass protection continued into Week 14.
"Mack sack Kap to end game. 49ers lose. End of an era.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 8, 2014"
Injuries to Iupati and Marcus Martin rubbed more salt into the 49ers' wounds. Iupati was able to return, but Martin injured the same knee that kept him out of the first half of the year.
If there is a positive from the O-line, it's the fact that San Francisco's runners gained an average of 5.4 yards per carry on the ground. This fact points to the indication that running the ball remains a preeminent strength of the 49ers.
But this approach was not properly utilized, and the 49ers' O-line could not respond with the necessary protection needed along the line of scrimmage.
Grade: D
Defensive Line
5 of 10
The lack of pressure on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was apparent on Sunday, and the 49ers defensive line was a major reason why the rookie was able to torch San Francisco through the air.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's four-man rush could not generate the necessary pressure on Carr, which led to him passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns. As a result, Fangio was forced to send more blitzes, which did not offset Carr's efforts.
Taylor Price of 49ers.com describes this aspect:
"The rookie quarterback looked comfortable in the pocket. Even when San Francisco sent blitzes, Carr was able to pick apart the defense. He especially clicked with tight end Mychal Rivera, who recorded his first 100-yard receiving game. Rivera led all receivers with seven catches for 109 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown grab to make it a two-possession game.
"
San Francisco's D-line has to bear plenty of the blame for this end result. Prior to the contest, the Raiders had allowed 19 sacks on the season. The 49ers pass-rushers were only able to add one more to that total.
D-linemen Ray McDonald and Quinton Dial each had a tackle for a loss, but those were perhaps the only positives emanating out of this unit. One could also argue that holding running back Latavius Murray for a 3.3 yards-per-carry average was also solid, but it came at the expense of giving up yards through the air.
Overall, the inability to get to Carr hurt the 49ers defense. Much of that relies on the ability of the D-line to wreak havoc along opposing offensive lines.
This didn't happen in Week 14.
Grade: D
Linebacker
6 of 10
Rookie linebacker Chris Borland's 14-tackle effort was not enough to give the 49ers defense an edge over Derek Carr and the Raiders offense.
He also finished the day with one tackle for a loss but, similar to the defensive line, the linebacker corps was not able to generate the same sort of pressure against Carr. Nor were they able to thwart the passing game in a way that would have limited Oakland's three touchdowns.
Linebacker Aldon Smith did not have the same influence as had been seen in games prior. He finished the game with just two tackles, one of which came for a loss.
But the biggest news came from Fox's coverage, in which play-by-play announcer Chris Myers reported that veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks had been benched in favor of Dan Skuta (h/t Taylor Price of 49ers.com).
Brooks had missed a team meeting earlier in the week, which resulted in him sitting.
When asked if he agreed with the decision, Brooks made it clear he was unhappy with the decision via Eric Branch of SFGate.com.
"#49ers LB Ahmad Brooks was asked if he agreed with benching: “No, I do not agree. But I’m just a player. I’m just a number.”
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 8, 2014"
The long-term implications of this prompt speculation that Brooks will be cut during the offseason. The reinstatement of Smith and emergence of rookie Aaron Lynch have made Brooks' presence all but expendable.
Yet in Week 14, San Francisco's linebackers couldn't quite impact the game like they had before. The 49ers defense suffered as a result.
Grade: C
Secondary
7 of 10
The injury bug bit the 49ers secondary hard on Sunday. This unit was already without cornerback Tramaine Brock (hamstring) entering the contest, and it suffered again when it lost fellow corner Chris Culliver to a knee injury.
This was the same knee that Culliver injured prior to the 2013 season, which creates further problems for an already depleted defensive backfield.
Fortunately, Culliver feels as if there is no long-term damage to the ACL he tore last season—a statement made via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.
"Chris Culliver does not believe he re-tore ACL. "Everything is good. Just sore. I'll be alright, I'll be back"
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 8, 2014"
Rookie cornerback Dontae Johnson replaced Culliver initially, but gave way to backup corner Leon McFadden per Andrew Pentis of 49ers.com. Johnson moved into the slot, but wound up giving a nine-yard touchdown to Raiders fullback Marcel Reece shortly thereafter.
"Derek Carr to Marcel Reese vs. Dontae Johnson for a 9-yard TD. And Raiders take the lead with 4:09 left in the third.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 7, 2014"
Quarterback Derek Carr and Oakland's offense picked on Johnson regularly throughout the second half, which further contributed to the 49ers' defensive woes over the course of the contest.
In all, San Francisco allowed 254 passing yards to a team that mustered just 183 against the Rams a week ago. While much of this came from the lack of a pass rush, the secondary was unable to come up with enough big plays to thwart the Raiders offense.
Grade: D
Special Teams
8 of 10
Kicker Phil Dawson made his first two field goals—52- and 20-yard tries, respectively. But it was his fourth-quarter miss that summed up almost everything one needs to know about the 49ers offensive efforts.
Dawson's final attempt could have brought the 49ers back within one score. But the kick sailed wide and to the left, all but ending any chances for a San Francisco comeback.
"When it rains, it pours; Phil Dawson misses 47 yarder and the Raiders take over.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 8, 2014"
It's usually a bad day for the 49ers offense when Dawson puts forth nearly 50 percent of the team's scoring offense. It's even harder when he misses a shot that would have put San Francisco within eight points late in the game.
But such was the case for the 49ers in Oakland.
Other bad notes come from the fact that punter Andy Lee was called upon four times. The Raiders defense entered Week 13 having allowed the third-most points in the NFL (337). Yet Lee's name was called too frequently, which signifies all that is wrong with San Francisco's offense.
Grade: C
Coaching
9 of 10
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area sums up the 49ers' efforts against the Raiders by saying, "Things looked broken."
Offensively, this trend has continued. The only difference was that the defense was not able to keep the rest of the team in contention down the stretch. The woes on the offensive side of the ball carried into this contest against a Raiders defense that ranked towards the bottom in nearly every category.
The lackluster results do not prompt much confidence in the 49ers coaching staff.
Fingers will continue to point towards head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The lack of identity on offense has reached a boiling point as the 49ers have now been held to under 17 points in four-consecutive games—three of which have been against bad, sub-.500 teams.
"If Jed York is the same guy who fired Singletary after a debacle, Greg Roman should be out the door by about 7:00.
— Gary Althiser (@NFLGary) December 8, 2014"
Of course, all the blame cannot fall entirely on Roman and Harbaugh. Colin Kaepernick's issues under center have continued to plague the offense. But a coaching staff is responsible for putting its players in the best position to win.
This isn't happening.
More importantly, the offensive coaches are not relying on their team's inherent strengths. San Francisco had success moving the ball on the ground, but we saw far more passing plays instead of rushes. Again, the lack of identity and rhythm are playing right into Maiocco's statement.
Harbaugh may, or may not, return in 2015. But that won't likely be determined until the end of the season—a year in which the 49ers could easily miss the playoffs.
Grade: F
Final Grades
10 of 10
QB: D-
RB: B
WR/TE: D+
OL: D
DL: D
LB: C
Secondary: D
Special Teams: C
Coaching: F
Cumulative Grade: D
Frank Gore stated that this was the lowest point in the 2014 49ers campaign (h/t KNBR 680). Indeed, it might be.
"Video: Frank Gore says this is the lowest point in the #49ers season. What do you think? http://t.co/jY1IYOzvpb pic.twitter.com/vRhpVSBMXz
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 8, 2014"
Not only did San Francisco lose the bragging-rights battle to its cross-bay rivals, but it also lost a vital contest to a team that held a mere 1-11 record entering Week 14. The Raiders looked like one of the NFL's elite teams, which is an odd statement. But Oakland showed up.
The 49ers did not.
Even tougher is what this defeat means for San Francisco's playoff chances. At 7-6, the 49ers aren't technically eliminated from anything just yet. But the 49ers' destiny is out of their hands. Winning out—a seemingly impossible notion at this point—guarantees nothing for San Francisco.
This loss could put the exclamation point on what has been a tumultuous, disappointing season for the 49ers, and one that has plenty of implications in the coming weeks and months.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.
Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers' news, insight and analysis.
Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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