SANTA CLARA–The stage was set. The spotlight was shining. And when the cake was rolled out, the 49ers couldn’t blow out the candles at the event that was supposed to be Kyle Shanahan’s coming out party.
After weathering losses against the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks during his first two games as head coach, Shanahan returned to a grand stage at Levi’s Stadium to square off against the Los Angeles Rams, the only opponent the 49ers have defeated in their last 22 regular season contests. A short week is not an ideal stage, but at least Shanahan didn’t have to fly his team to Southern California to face a franchise that’s struggled to compete with even the worst 49ers’ teams in recent years.
Add in the glow of the NFL Network’s national television audience, and a matchup with his protege, new Rams’ head coach Sean McVay, and Shanahan had the spotlight beating down on the west sideline as kickoff approached.
It was supposed to be a smooth ride to Shanahan’s first victory as an NFL head coach, but the 49ers found themselves stuck in Santa Clara’s rush hour traffic on Thursday night in an entertaining 41-39 loss to their division rival.
Trailing 41-26 with under seven minutes remaining, quarterback Brian Hoyer connected with wide receiver Pierre Garcon on a stunning 59-yard go-route that ignited a late San Francisco comeback. After a three-yard touchdown pass to rookie Trent Taylor, the 49ers recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Carlos Hyde converted a fourth down and goal from the two-yard line to pull San Francisco within two points.
But on a potential game-tying two-point conversion attempt, Hoyer’s pass was batted and intercepted and the 49ers’ furious rally fell just short. Even though Robbie Gould’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Raheem Mostert, San Francisco’s last-second effort ran out of gas as penalties and missed protections wiped out what would have been an instant classic.
The first half of the 49ers’ schedule is hardly kind to a franchise in the midst of a massive rebuilding project, but Thursday’s game was an invitation to a black jersey –or black tie– affair that should have afforded Shanahan and Co. a night to remember. Instead, the 49ers dressed in black for a rather unceremonious occasion that served as a reminder of how far down the franchise has sunk.
While it’s impossible to expect an easy path to the parking lot in the NFL, the 49ers hit a roadblock pulling out of their driveway on Thursday when Hoyer threw an interception on the team’s first play from scrimmage. Hoyer’s attempt to hit Marquise Goodwin on a quick out route ended up in the hands of cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, who maneuvered 25 yards to set up the Rams’ first scoring drive.
On the game’s next play, Rams’ running back Todd Gurley busted his way through the line of scrimmage for the first of his three touchdowns to put Los Angeles ahead 7-0.
Hoyer, though, didn’t allow the early-game crash to sidetrack his entire evening, as he atoned for the error by leading a 14-play, 81-yard drive on the 49ers’ next series that culminated with Hoyer dashing nine yards into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown since 2009. After 22 possessions, the 49ers finally had their first touchdown of the season, and for a moment, it appeared as if the 49ers might end up making the most of a golden chance.
After a stop-and-go start to the first quarter, the 49ers’ engine began destructing from within. Trailing 14-7 after a Gurley touchdown reception, San Francisco had an opportunity to drive for a game-tying score. On their first attempt at keeping pace, reserve running back Raheem Mostert fumbled, giving the ball right back to a Los Angeles team struggling to contain the 49ers’ rushing attack. On their second effort, the 49ers’ drive stalled and the team was forced to punt. However, a muff by returner Tavon Austin gave San Francisco possession back inside the Los Angeles 15-yard line.
Suddenly, engine trouble was compounded by a flat tire, and eventually, the wheels came off. Left tackle Joe Staley had a false start penalty, fullback Kyle Juszczyk committed a holding penalty and rookie tight end George Kittle dropped a would-be first down reception that could have led to six points. A drive that began at the Rams’ 12-yard line ended up as a four-play, minus-six yard series that led to just three points.
It surely isn’t lost on the 49ers’ new regime, and shouldn’t be lost on the team’s fan base, that the loss came against a Rams team that lost 12 games last season, two of which came against San Francisco. While it’s far too early to tell if Shanahan’s protege, McVay, will wind up leading Los Angeles above San Francisco for years to come, the 31-year-old McVay did inherit a roster better positioned for the future than the one the 49ers handed over to Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. While it shouldn’t make the 49ers’ loss any easier to take, especially considering the team’s defense surrendered more points on Thursday than it did in its first two games combined, it does prove just how much work Shanahan has ahead of him before he can toast to his first victory.
Even though the 49ers’ offense found a way to turn their loss into the most entertaining Thursday night game in NFL history, San Francisco committed a few too many errors to complete a miracle comeback.