San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills: Full Report Card Grades for 49ers

Ryan SakamotoOct 16, 2016

The losing streak continues for the San Francisco 49ers despite making a quarterback change. A team that hasn't won since Week 1, the 49ers found themselves once again on the losing end against the Buffalo Bills in a 45-16 defeat.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick provided an early first-half spark but was unable to maintain that consistent play in the second half. Combine that effort with a struggling 49ers defense unable to stop the run, and you have a recipe for a blowout.

Quarterback

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Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick was no better than Blaine Gabbert in his first start of the 2016 season. Two players who continue to struggle throwing the ball downfield, it was Kaepernick who misfired on a potential first-quarter touchdown to wide receiver Torrey Smith despite starting with favorable field position. However, Kaepernick would redeem himself just a few drives later, connecting with Smith on a 53-yard touchdown catch.

Overall, Kaepernick quietly put together a respectable game, completing 13 of 29 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Grade: B-

Running Back

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defenders during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

A running back is only as strong as his offensive line, and unfortunately for 49ers back Carlos Hyde, he had little room to run during first-half play. From being contained between the tackles to bouncing outside, Hyde was suffocated early and often, and the Ohio State product finished the first half with just nine carries for 37 yards.

The second half was even worse, as Hyde was temporarily knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury, per David Fucillo of Niners Nation, finishing with just five carries for 15 yards.

Grade: C-

Wide Receiver/Tight End

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

One of the reasons 49ers head coach Chip Kelly made a quarterback change was Gabbert's downfield inefficiency. He likely believed things couldn't get any worse and made the switch to Kaepernick. However, Kaepernick misfired two times during the first half, one to Smith on a streak and another to running back Shaun Draughn on a wheel route. Both plays fell incomplete.

There's no question that Jeremy Kerley has been the team's best wide receiver this year, but it was the play of Quinton Patton and Smith that stood out. The two were getting open and provided secure passing windows for Kaepernick to target. As a result, both wide receivers thrived, recording a combined seven catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.

Grade: B-

Offensive Line

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

The 49ers' offensive line allowed zero first-half sacks. That's a huge improvement from last week, as the unit allowed a season-high seven sacks to the Arizona Cardinals. It was imperative that this week's game plan allowed Kaepernick to play with a clean pocket, and the 49ers did that to perfection.

However, the same can't be said of the running game. Hyde had little room to run, and that directly correlated to the line. Hyde would later be temporarily knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, allowing second-year back Mike Davis to take his place.

It didn't work.

Davis would finish with five carries for 13 yards.

Grade: C-

Defensive Line

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

A defensive line allowing a running back to rush for over 100 first-half yards is unacceptable. From missed tackles to an inability to maintain gap integrity, the 49ers were manhandled in the trenches despite moving Quinton Dial to nose tackle.

Last week, the 49ers allowed Cardinals running back David Johnson to rack up 157 yards and two touchdowns, and this week was just as bad. Bills running back LeSean McCoy finished with 19 carries for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

The pass rush fared much better than prior weeks, as first-round pick DeForest Buckner came to life, recording eight tackles and two sacks. However, other than that, there isn't much praise for this unit.

Grade: D

Linebacker

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

This group has been by far the team's weakest link on the defensive side of the ball. A subpar pass rush, an inability to set the edge and a lack of gap containment will do that. There were too many missed tackles, too many false steps and too many run-fit errors, which have become more of the norm than the exception.

Grade: F

Secondary

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Bill Wippert/Associated Press

The 49ers needed to make a change at cornerback. Tramaine Brock was burned for five game-changing plays in the last three weeks, prompting 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil to roll the dice on third-year cornerback Keith Reaser. He played a lot better, recording three tackles and one pass breakup.

The 49ers' best rookie has been cornerback Rashard Robinson, and again, he came up huge for the San Francisco defense. He played everything in front of him, didn't get beat and made plays on the ball. The rookie was tested early but not often, as Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor found out quickly that the LSU product is poised beyond his years at the cornerback position.

Eric Reid has been a liability in pass coverage all season. Just look back to the Seattle Seahawks game, when Reid gave up a huge pass play to Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, if you need an example.

Reid struggled once again, giving up a 30-yard touchdown to 2013 second-round pick Justin Hunter. The Tennessee product beat Reid on a simple post route. This is by no means a fixable problem. Just one drive later, Reid was hit with a pass interference call McCoy in the end zone.

Grade: D

Special Teams

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Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press

49ers ride receiver Keshawn Martin's costly fumble in the fourth quarter all but sealed a victory for the Bills. Combine that with a poor outing by second-year punter Bradley Pinion, who pinned only one punt inside the 20, and it's a recipe for disaster. 49ers kicker Phil Dawson connected on all three of his field goals, but the good news stops there, as this unit did nothing special.

Grade: D