49ers rely on resiliency to stay afloat in NFC
This time after last week’s game, as the 49ers returned to team headquarters after a 43-17 throttling at the hands of the Dolphins, Kyle Shanahan could sense anger and embarrassment from his players as they re-watched the debacle and then sought ways to put it behind them.
Rampant injuries had led to a rough start to the Super Bowl runner-up’s season, but the 49ers couldn’t even use poor health as an excuse in that loss in Miami. They had played terribly in just about every facet of the game.
That frustration continued to permeate throughout the locker room, and the players used it as fuel during their preparation for a crucial meeting with the NFC West-rival Rams. The payoff came in the form of a 24-16 victory that evened the 49ers’ record at 3-3.
The win came as no surprise to the 49ers. Players and coaches said that, given the sense of urgency and attention to detail they sensed in practice and in meetings last week, they held a strong belief they would win.
Shanahan set the tone early, orchestrating an aggressive and diverse offensive attack that gave the 49ers a firstquarter lead they only built on. Shanahan’s unit rediscovered the recipe of balance that makes the offense click at its best. San Francisco’s defense followed suit and held a potent Rams offense to just two touchdowns while recording one takeaway (a Jason Verrett interception in the end zone).
San Francisco took steps toward regaining its offensive identity while seeing numerous defensive players step up for injured starters.
“Just getting back to the brand of football we know we’re capable of playing,” defensive lineman Arik Armstead told reporters. “Running the ball, moving the chains, taking the life out of a defense, and then on defense, big stops, threeand-outs, eliminating explosives, making them drive all the way down the field to beat us. I think we just got back to playing like we know how to play.”
And of equal importance, San Francisco avoided falling further behind the 5-0 Seattle Seahawks, 4-2 Rams and 4-2 Arizona Cardinals.
Injuries struck again, bringing more uncertainty as the team awaits word on running back Raheem Mostert, center Ben Garland and safety Jaquiski Tartt.
But in this game, the 49ers could at least take comfort in the fact that they had pulled off a potentially season-saving victory.
“Whenever guys are holding each other or themselves accountable, it’s a good thing,” said quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who rebounded from a two-interception showing against Miami while still recovering from a high-ankle sprain to throw for three touchdown passes against Los Angeles. “The NFL is hard. Not every week is going to be fun or pretty. When the captains have the mindset and set the tone, it trickles down to everyone else.”