Sports: 49ers eliminated from playoff contention after loss.
The 49ers are out of the playoff hunt after a 41-33 lost to the Cowboys
Turnovers, injuries, poor quarterback play and failed comebacks are the hallmarks of a 49ers’ season that will fall short of the playoffs.
The team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last February was officially eliminated from postseason contention Sunday. A 41-33 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, followed by Arizona’s victory over Philadelphia, made fact of a foregone conclusion.
Nick Mullens’ three turnovers, including a pair of fourth- quarter interceptions, sent the 49ers to their sixth loss in seven games.
The 49ers (5-9) will end the season with two more games at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, their “home” since Dec. 2 when Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports forced them to relocate.
Every pro football team is dealing with fallout from the pandemic; only the 49ers have had to pull up stakes.
“We’ve dealt with a lot of (problems) this year but I wouldn’t say it’s too much to overcome,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We would have overcome it today without the turnovers. If you play good football, you have a chance to win every week, regardless of our circumstances.”
Linebacker Fred Warner sounded exasperated. “You hear the frustration in my
voice,” he said. “I hate losing. We’ve got to change something. You can’t do the same things over and over again and expect different results.”
The 49ers have used a franchise-record 80 players this season, and none has faced more scrutiny than the turnover-prone Mullens, whose record as a starter fell to 2- 6 this season and 5-11 for his career.
The 49ers are 0-3 since having to leave home.
Today will mark Day 19 of an exile that will extend to 32 days.
“Has it been a challenge, yeah,” Mullens said. “But if you go back to the reason why we’re losing, it’s because of turnovers. It’s not because we’re in Arizona, or we’re not working as hard.”
The 49ers fell to 0- 8 when trailing at halftime this season and 4-25 since 2017 under Shanahan.
Here are the highs, lows and all you need to know from this one:
MULLcNS’ STATUS >> An elbow injur y to Mullens sprung C. J. Beathard off the bench for the final minutes. Asked whether Beathard will start Saturday against Arizona, Shanahan said: “We’ll see. I haven’t thought about that. I’ll definitely let Nick and C. J. know first, though.”
The question of who will start could be settled today when the severity of Mullens’ injury is determined.
Beathard led scoring drives both series he was out there, the first culminating on Robbie Gould’s 400th career field goal to cut a 10-point deficit to 3427 with 40 seconds to go. That drive started with Mullens still at QB. That changed when his right arm was struck by DeMarcus Lawrence on a pass attempt.
“So I figured it was best for the team for somebody who could throw the football to get in the game,” Mullens said.
Mullens’ fourth- quarter interceptions proved more damaging than a first- quarter fumble, but all led to Cowboys points. The 49ers spotted the Cowboys a 14- 0, first- quarter lead after touchdowns off two fumbles, those miscues coming on a Richie James punt return and a
Mullens strip-sack fumble.
“Once the fourth quarter came, I was going to have to make big-time plays for us to finish that game out,” Mullens said. “We couldn’t just run the ball every play and go all the way down the field. I had to make some plays and I didn’t.”
Mullens finished 21 of 36 for 219 yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 71.4 rating. His touchdown passes to Jordan Reed (5 yards) and Brandon Aiyuk (2 yards, fourth- and- goal) had the 49ers trailing just 17-14 at halftime. A week ago, Mullens had a fumble and interception returned for touchdowns in a loss to Washington.
KAa eIcLb ISSUcS >> Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wil
son again battled through the ankle injuries that have plagued them for two months. Wilson (16 carries, 60 yards) also pulled up with an apparent right hamstring injury in the final seconds, though he said: “I’m perfectly fine. No problem.”
Mostert headed to the sideline after his first carry after halftime. That 1-yard carry pushed his total to 68 yards (14 carries).
Wilson’s left ankle flared up after a 10-yard carry in the third quarter, so Tevin Coleman came in as their third rusher; Jerick McKinnon was also used in the backfield earlier in the game, as a pass protector. Rccb cMcRhcS >> Jordan Reed scored the 49ers’ first touchdown, but it was a
third- quarter catch- andrun that really enhanced their comeback at a more critical time. Reed’s 14yard reception to the 1 set up Wilson’s game- tying touchdown run on the next play. Reed’s fourth touchdown of the season came on a 5-yard catch in the first quarter, that pulled the 49ers within 14-7. It was his second touchdown in three games and fourth on the season.
ARMSTcAb SAa S >> Arik Armstead had more sacks in the first half (two) than in his previous 13 games combined (1 1/2). His first full sack since Week 2 forced the Cowboys to settle for a 48-yard field goal and 17-7 lead. Armstead dropped Andy Dalton again just before halftime.
“We knew going in we could get him on some of those,” Armstead said. “Throughout the year, it felt good to have opportunities out there and space to work. Those opportunities came today and I tried to take advantage of them.” WARb INJURcb >> Free safety Jimmie Ward left with a concussion after his harrowing hit on CeeDee Lamb just before halftime. Also ruled out for the second half was defensive end Dion Jordan.
Other injuries Sunday were to James (ankle) and safety Tarvarius Moore, who sustained a knee injury but stopped Amari Cooper for an 11-yard loss in the fourth quarter.
LINcUP aiANhcS >> Ahkello Witherspoon was an emergency starter at right cornerback, replacing Jason Verrett, who was ill.
Justin Skule made his first career start at right guard, and he drew a holding penalty against Lawrence on the third series.
hOULb’S Ia S >> Robbie Gould’s 41-yard field goal pulled the 49ers into a 1717 tie with 10:48 left in the third quarter. It was his 399th career field goal, 11thmost in NFL history. After he notched No. 400 in the final minute, the ball was retrieved as a memento.
aOW K OY S ’ T i R c AT S >> With leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott (calf) a surprise scratch, Tony Pollard proved a dual threat with 69 rushing yards and 63 receiving yards, highlighted by a 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. CeeDee Lamb was the Cowboys’ top receiver; he caught five passes for 85 yards. He also accounted for Dallas’ final points by returning an onsides kick 47 yards for a touchdown, the first time since 2008 that the Cowboys had returned a kickoff for a touchdown.