49ers’ Fading Playoff Hopes Take Another Hit
Mullens’ giving ball away in loss to Washington
Washington Football Team strong safety Kamren Curl (31) runs back an interception for a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) tries to defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
2020.12.13 – QB2 Nick Mullens and the San Francisco 49ers’ offense committed two turnovers that Washington turned into defensive touchdowns and the 49ers’ fading playoff hopes took another hit 23-15 at their temporary home in Arizona, on Sunday.
Mullens just about gave away any chance for the defending NFC champions to remain in the playoff race.
“We were not clean today offensively,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Regardless, we would have found a way to win if we didn’t turn the ball over. It was a number of things today from an execution standpoint. … You can’t expect to win many games when you play like that.”
After finding out they wouldn’t be able to practice or play at their stadium and facility because of COVID-19 rules banning contact sports in Santa Clara County, the Niners rallied around each other for a 23-20 win at the Rams two weeks ago to keep them in the wild-card race.
San Francisco arrived in Arizona with hopes of staying in contention long enough for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and 2019 All-Pro tight end George Kittle to return for the stretch run, only to fall flat in back-to-back losses.
The defense was gashed last week in a 34-24 loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, and then the offense self-destructed against Washington, wasting a solid defensive game that saw the Niners allow only three field goals to Washington’s offense and just 3.11 yards per play overall.
But, the Niners have turned over the ball multiple times in seven straight games, the team’s longest streak since an eight-gamer in 2018.
“We won’t beat anybody on our schedule giving the ball away like we have these last few games,” left tackle Trent Williams said.
2020.12.13 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington (Video)
– 49ers Talk | NBC Sports Bay Area
2020.12.13 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington (Video Highlights)
DEEBO DONE ON FIRST SNAP
The 49ers lost Deebo Samuel to a left hamstring injury after a 9-yard run on the first snap, and he will undergo an MRI on Monday. He clearly aggravated an Oct. 25 strain that kept him out three games. Samuel had 206 receiving yards over the past two games combined, but he was held out of the past two Wednesday practices, first for a sore hamstring and this past week for a foot contusion.
“We had to adjust a number of things losing Deebo early,” Shanahan said. “… We felt pretty big about Deebo from that first play on. We lost a pretty big element but it’s not why we lost today, with the way our defense played. Deebo would have helped a ton. That wasn’t why we lost.”
MULLENS’ MISERY CONTINUES
The game turned on the two turnovers by Mullens that turned into touchdowns. Da’Ron Payne knocked the ball loose on a sack with San Francisco protecting a 7-6 lead late in the first half. Rookie Chase Young scooped it up and ran 47 yards for the score that put Washington up.
Washington’s five-man rush came at Mullens when he threw toward the right sideline, toward where Kyle Juszczyk was before heading up field, toward Kamren Curl, who made the interception and returned it 76 yards for a 23-7 lead.
“You’re just trying to make a play to get rid of the ball,” Mullens said. “It’s just a mishap that happened. I just have to protect the ball and can’t make that type of mistake. It changes the game.”
Mullens was allowed to stay in the game, but C.J. Beathard began warming up on the sideline, and it’s worth wondering which will get the start next Sunday at Dallas.
“It wasn’t all on Nick. We didn’t play good around him either,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “After the pick-6, I wanted to give C.J. a chance to warm up. He was warming up during the next drive, and during it, Nick made some big third downs and we went down there and scored. After he took us on a scoring drive, I changed my mind.”
On that interception-following drive, Mullens threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Juszczyk and a two-point conversion to Kendrick Bourne, cutting their deficit to 23-15.
But San Francisco punted on its next two drives before falling short on its final chance after a holding penalty on Mike McGlinchey wiped out a 22-yard pass to Bourne to the Washington 22.
Two plays later, Mullens connected with Bourne on an 11-yard pass on fourth-and-12 and the game — and possibly San Francisco’s season — essentially was over.
Mullens finished 24-of-45 for 256 yards and a 70.2 passer rating.
“The way our defense was playing against that offense, you have a very good chance to win as long as you just don’t turn the ball over,” Shanahan said. “For us turning the ball over three times and them getting 17 points off it, two (touchdowns) without our defense going on the field, it was a borderline back-breaker.”
STAR RISING
Brandon Aiyuk further established himself as the No. 1 receiver, catching 10 of 16 targets for 118 yards and saying: “It was, ‘Our guy went down so let’s pick him up and make plays.’ Bourne had 42 yards on three catches while four other passes went off his hands. Richie James had three catches for 30 yards while tight ends Ross Dwelley and Jordan Reed each had two catches.
INJURIES
Washington: Alex Smith is the biggest — and most vital — question mark.
49ers: RB Deebo Samuel (hamstring) left in first play and didn’t return.
Fred Warner, the 49ers’ top defender this season, was evaluated for a head injury in the first series after halftime. Cleared from a concussion, he did not return because of the nerve stinger and finished with five tackles, pushing his season total to 96.
Left tackle Williams (leg) and running back Raheem Mostert (head) returned to action before halftime after getting medical clearance.
Mostert was evaluated for a potential head injury after a 6-yard run to open the second quarter.
UP NEXT
Washington: The Seahawks are 9-4, tied with the Rams atop the NFC West.
49ers: Stay in Arizona and they’ll host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Related – See below: 49ers prepared for three-week trip
Related: Bills dealt blow to 49ers’ playoff hopes
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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49ers prepared for ‘bumps in the road’ on 3-week trip
Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers and other teams may need to find a temporary new home after Santa Clara County on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, banned all contact sports from holding games and practices for the next three weeks. County officials issued the directives in response to rising cases of the coronavirus in the area. The rules take effect Monday and will last for three weeks. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
2020.11.29 – The San Francisco 49ers are set to embark on an unusual three-week road trip after being kicked out of their stadium and practice facility because of strict new COVID-19 protocols in their home county.
The Niners will fly to Arizona on Wednesday where they will practice, live and play their next two games after Santa Clara County imposed a three-week ban on games and practices for contact sports.
The new rules that went into effect Monday and will last until at least Dec. 21 were announced Saturday as the Niners were preparing to fly to Los Angeles for a game against the Rams. The team scrambled to make new arrangements and settled on Arizona.