The 49ers’ 2018 season is officially a wrap. Their 48-32 loss to the Los Angeles Rams Sunday afternoon caps San Francisco’s season with a 4-12 record.
Here are five thoughts from the season finale.
It was a sour way to end a long, trying season
All the anticipation surrounding the 2018 season quickly soured when Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3. The expectations immediately changed, and the season’s value rested in developing the young players and finding answers to position battles.
The 49ers probably surprised people when they continued to compete. They had leads in the final two minutes in two games and lost. They nearly beat several playoff-bound teams, including the Bears, Chargers, and Chiefs. The one win against a playoff-bound team came against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, marking San Francisco’s first victory over its archrival in 11 tries.
And perhaps that’s why this season was so frustrating for many fans — the 49ers were not totally incompetent. They teased you enough to keep you around for a heartbreaking finish. But those positive glimpses should yield optimism into a 2019 season that will be even greater in anticipation.
The 49ers had parlayed a couple encouraging performances, against Seattle and Chicago, into their rematch with the Los Angeles Rams, which trounced the 49ers, 39-10, in Week 7. But a similar beatdown followed Sunday. The Rams jumped out to a 28-3 start after forcing four turnovers on San Francisco’s first five offensive possessions. The game was effectively over, though the 49ers fought until the end and scored 15 unanswered points before the final whistle.
The 49ers’ roller coaster of a 2018 season has ended with a 4-12 record. A major positive: they will pick No. 2 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. They nearly had the No. 1 pick, but the Arizona Cardinals fell by three points to Seattle to secure the top selection Sunday.
George Kittle’s preeminent season ends fittingly
What a way to cap one of the NFL’s breakout seasons.
49ers star tight end George Kittle entered Sunday with 1,228 receiving yards, which was 99 short of the single-season record for a tight end, held by New England’s Rob Gronkowski. Kittle surpassed that mark early in the fourth quarter, but Kansas City’s Travis Kelce had also eclipsed Gronkowski’s record, giving Kittle a little more work to do.
With one offensive drive remaining, Kittle needed nine yards to pass Kelce. Kittle broke Kelce’s momentary record with a 43-yard touchdown, in which he caught the ball near the sideline and scampered upfield for the score, on the 49ers’ final offensive drive.
That play, showcasing Kittle’s athleticism, encapsulates his all-time great season, which featured catches of 85, 82, and 71 yards.
What Kittle has been able to do in his second NFL season, with three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball and without another consistent receiving threat to alleviate the pressure on him, has been nothing short of remarkable. Kittle has followed an encouraging, injury-filled rookie season with arguably the greatest season ever from a tight end. That is no longer hyperbole.
Kittle’s 1,377 yards are also the third-most for any 49ers receiver in a year since 2000. His breakout campaign will end with his first Pro Bowl appearance.
49ers set milestones for atrocious turnover disparity
On the contrary, the 2018 49ers could very well could be the worst team in NFL history in terms of turnover disparity.
On one side of the field, that’s not debatable. With no forced turnovers Sunday, the 49ers yielded just seven turnovers all season long. That is now the fewest in NFL history in a non-strike season, breaking the previous low of 11 turnovers, shared by three different teams.
Another mind-blowing statistic regarding the lack of turnovers: no 49ers cornerback recorded an interception this season. The only other team to do is the 2005 Raiders. The 49ers’ two interceptions — which is now the lowest in a single season in NFL history — belonged to safeties Antone Exum and Jaquiski Tartt.
The atrocious marks didn’t stop on the defensive side. After committing four turnovers Sunday, the 49ers offense turned the ball over 32 times this season. Their -25 turnover differential was comfortably the worst in the NFL.
Nick Mullens didn’t play great, but he didn’t have much help
Aside from Kittle, Mullens has been the most pleasant surprise of the 49ers’ season. He has morphed from obscure practice squadder to a capable NFL quarterback, likely destined for the backup role behind Garoppolo next season.
Mullens completed 23 of 33 passes for 282 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions Sunday. Most of his production came in the second half, with the game all but decided.
Mullens faced constant pressure throughout the first half, and his receiving corps were without their top-three options entering the season (Marquise Goodwin, Dante Pettis, and Pierre Garcon). And the second-year quarterback struggled as a result. He did not throw the ball quickly enough under pressure, and he seemed to consistently lock in on his first read. When it wasn’t there, the play went awry. For someone who doesn’t pose much of a threat on the ground, Mullens has impressed with his accuracy and ability to survey his progressions throughout recent weeks. It wasn’t until the second half that he played that way Sunday.
But his final performance of 2018 shouldn’t wipe have much of a stain on Mullens’ season. He went 3-5 in his starts after C.J. Beathard went 0-5.
Mullens finished the season with 2,277 yards, the fourth-most ever for a quarterback through his first eight NFL starts.
The offensive line struggles and suffers potentially major injury
The 49ers, like the rest of the NFL, haven’t been able to contain Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
In Week 7, Donald posted video-game-like numbers: nine tackles, six for a loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. On Sunday, Donald dominated once again, particularly setting the tone for a prolific Rams first half that quickly turned the game into a rout.
On the 49ers’ second offensive possession, Donald hit 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens as he attempted a throw. The following play, Rams defensive end Dante Fowler got to Mullens, and he fluttered a pass for an interception. On the next possession, Donald beat 49ers right guard Mike Person off the line and forced another interception. One possession later, Donald beat 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey to the inside gap on a play-action pass, and Donald sacked Mullens.
Donald recorded four tackles, one for a loss, one sack, and 11 pressures Sunday, despite facing consistent double teams. This is nothing new for Donald, who will likely win his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award at season’s end.
The 49ers offensive line is considered one of the team’s strengths entering 2019, but it has periodically struggled in pass protection, including in the final two weeks. To make matters worse, left guard Laken Tomlinson hurt his knee in the third quarter and was carted off the field. Kyle Shanahan told reporters postgame that he fears Tomlinson tore his ACL, which could set him back at the beginning of the 2019 season.
Tomlinson has been Mr. Reliable throughout his 49ers tenure. He is the team’s only player to have played every snap this season. He did the same last season from Week 2 and on.