SANTA CLARA — Here is how the 49ers (2-3) graded in Sunday’s 43-17 home loss to the Miami Dolphins (2-3):
PASS OFFENSE: F
Playing only the first half on a still-painful ankle, Jimmy Garoppolo punctuated his career-worst 15.7 passer rating with a pair of interceptions inside the final two minutes of the first half. He was 7-of-17 for only 77 yards, and his career-worst 41.2 completion percentage wisely told Kyle Shanahan to pull him in favor of C.J. Beathard for a second-half, pass-heavy comeback attempt. Whoever the quarterback has been this year, the pass protection has lapsed, resulting in five sacks this game by a no-name defense. As Joe Staley tweeted: “What the hell is this?” Off-target passes did not make the best use of the 49ers’ most complete offensive cast. George Kittle caught 4 of 8 targets, Brandon Aiyuk 3 of 6, Deebo Samuel 2-of-8 and Kenrick Bourne 2-of-4.
RUN OFFENSE: C-
An early deficit meant the 49ers would scrap much of their run plays, so that makes the final stats deceivingly impressive (131 yards, 6.9 yards per carry). Jerick McKinnon’s only carry all game got stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1, and that came on the 49ers’ second series to signal how doomed they were. Raheem Mostert returned from his own 2 1/2-game absence (like Garoppolo) and produced a 37-yard run that highlighted a drive capped by Kyle Juszczyk’s first rushing touchdown of his 49ers career. Mostert had just 11 carries for 90 yards. Defenses are surprising the 49ers weekly, and adjustments are not being executed in a consistent manner.
PASS DEFENSE: F
Roasting Brian Allen for his starting debut is one obvious task, after he yielded 124 of Fitzpatrick’s first 168 yards, plus two penalties for first-and-goal and ultimately a touchdown. So much else went wrong with this unit, however. The pass rush is nonexistent, so much so that Ryan FItzpatrick passed for 350 yards (22-of-25) and three touchdowns. He also escaped with a 17-yard scramble and drew a questionable roughing penalty on Fred Warner. Kwon Alexander surrendered a touchdown catch to the Dolphins’ backup tight end, and the 49ers safeties are not making enough helpful plays. The 49ers’ injuries were never as exposed as in this game. Richard Sherman and Emmanuel Moseley are urgently needed back at cornerback, just as Dee Ford is at defensive end, where Nick Bosa’s Week 2 exit looms larger each loss.
RUN DEFENSE: C
Why run when Fitzgerald’s air assault dominated the 49ers? The Dolphins managed only 2.8 yards per carry but did not need any of that. Former 49er Matt Breida had 28 yards (nine carries) in a backup role to Myles Gaskin (16 carries, 57 yards, one touchdown). Fred Warner had a team-high 11 tackles and Kwon Alexander had a sack among his five tackles. As much as we mourn the injured 49ers, let’s not forget about DeForest Buckner’s void from a leadership level as he’s on Indy’s payroll.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C-
Kevin White’s 49ers debut comes as … a kick returner? This 6-foot-3, former Bears wide receiver was 6 yards deeps in the end zone when he foolishly opted to bring out the ball and reached only the 14-yard line, which is horrible field position when mounting a comeback from a 14-0 deficit. Trent Taylor’s 17-yard punt return set up the 49ers’ first touchdown drive and he proved a better option than the inactive Dante Pettis. Coverage units were sound.
COACHING: F
It was inexcusable to leave Allen out there for four series as an easy target, and only put in Ahkello Witherspoon once the veteran volunteered for that task. The opening script has lacked bite or success the past two home defeats. Play calls are not surprising defenses, especially in the run game. Too much is out of sync, and although there’ve been too many injuries, they’ve had three too many home losses this season. Each loss in past years felt like a learning lesson needed for the road to a championship; each loss this season seems to chip a giant slice of rock from that foundation and culture.
