SANTA CLARA – Here is how the 49ers (12-5) graded in Sunday’s 21-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) in the regular-season finale at Levi’s Stadium:
PASS OFFENSE: C-
Sam Darnold impressed, at least in the first half, as Brock Purdy’s stand-in for a meaningless game. Darnold was 5-for-5 on the opening touchdown drive, while surrounded by the usual starting cast. He finished 16-of-26 for 189 yards with a touchdown (to Ronnie Bell). But he a strip-sack fumble in the final minute cost the 49ers’ last-ditch comeback bid (while embattled kicker Jake Moody warmed up in the bullpen). Deebo Samuel (32 total yards) and Brandon Aiyuk (three catches, 25 yards) performed admirably in their cameos after being snubbed from the Pro Bowl. Ray-Ray McCloud returned to action, but he dropped a deep ball in the fourth quarter, as did Chris Conley. Trent Williams survived his one series before yielding to Jaylon Moore, who later gave up a bad sack. George Kittle was a pregame scratch with back spasms so that’s something to watch for in the playoffs.
RUN OFFENSE: C
Christian McCaffrey safely sat out with the NFL’s rushing title (and a right-calf issue from a week ago). That meant more work for Elijah Mitchell after last game’s 80-yard outing, and Mitchell responded with 52 yards on 14 carries. Jordan Mason certainly runs with intention and had 36 yards on six carries. The 49ers finished with the NFL’s third-best rushing average (141.5 yards per game), thanks in large part to McCaffrey’s 1,459 yards; they finished second in passing (263.1 yards) and overall yards (404.6 per game).
PASS DEFENSE: C-
Losing Clelin Ferrell to a knee injury on the first series will have ramifications for the playoffs, primarily thrusting Chase Young into more reps after underwhelming production (2 ½ sacks) in nine games since his trade. Rookie defensive end Robert Beal Jr. got his first sack and could be a contributor to the rotation with Young and Randy Gregory if Ferrell misses some time. Charvarius Ward gave up a touchdown pass on his first series as a Pro Bowler, but don’t be alarmed because his hot finish to the season will have him ready for his sixth postseason in six years. Safety Tayler Hawkins caught an interception in his NFL debut but yielded a go-ahead two-point conversion catch.
RUN DEFENSE: C
You know it’s a sham of a game when Carson Wentz is the leading rusher (17 carries, 56 yards). No opponent ran for 100 yards on the 49ers this season, and their streak actually spans 44 games to 2021. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw wisely got some rest for his battered body, which, in this case, meant being a pregame scratch with Achilles tendinitis. Fred Warner was not credited with a tackle for the first time in his career, but he only played about a dozen snaps, and he led the 49ers in tackles for a sixth straight season (132 tackles, plus four interceptions and 2 ½ sacks). Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, knee) plans to return for the playoff opener after a five-game absence.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
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Jake Moody picked an ill-opportune time to get the shanks, as a 38-yard field-goal attempt drew iron off the right post before he also sliced his next kick, a point-after attempt, his first miss in 61 career attempts. His next kick will be his first-ever in the NFL playoffs. McCloud was a sight for sore eyes as he reprised his role as a punt returner (two returns, 17 yards). Mitch Wishnowsky had a net average of 39.3 yards on three punts.
COACHING: A-
Kyle Shanahan gets credit for sitting key players either from the jump or by halftime. So what if they lost their nine-game regular-season win streak over the Rams, the franchise that beat them to the Super Bowl two years ago? So what if they failed to sweep the NFC West for a second straight year? The 49ers are the No. 1 seed, they’re on a bye week, and they’ve got scores of healthy talent ready to make a Super Bowl run.
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