Ups and Downs of the San Francisco 49ers: A Look at the Season’s Ups and Downs

A Closer Look at the San Francisco 49ers’ Performance

The San Francisco 49ers experienced a roller-coaster afternoon recently, with their biggest special teams play of the season being overshadowed by another unfortunate incident. This time, it wasn’t a successful fake punt by the Rams, a blocked punt by the Vikings, or a fumbled kickoff return against the Patriots that caught everyone’s attention. Instead, it was an unfortunate high ankle sprain sustained by kicker Jake Moody during a kick return tackle attempt.

Impact of Moody’s Injury on the 49ers

The aftermath of the incident proved to be more impactful than previous mishaps. The 49ers had to finish the last 34 minutes and 59 seconds without their reliable kicker, which led to a blown 13-point lead and a 24-23 defeat to the Cardinals. This marked the second time this season that the 49ers lost a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, with the first occurrence happening against the Rams in Week 3.

Looking at the 49ers’ Season So Far

Following their latest defeat, the 49ers’ season record dropped to 2-3, with a 0-2 record in the NFC West and a 0-3 record against NFC opponents. The team will now face the challenge of the division-leading Seahawks on a short rest Thursday night in Seattle.

Adapting to the Absence of Jake Moody

The absence of Moody posed a significant challenge. The team missed several scoring opportunities in the second half, marking only the tenth time they’ve failed to score in either half of a regular-season game since Kyle Shanahan took over as coach in 2017. Moody suffered the injury just under five minutes into the second quarter, and the initial diagnosis suggested a high ankle sprain, requiring further testing to establish a recovery timeline.

How the 49ers’ Offense Adapted to Moody’s Absence

With Moody sidelined, punter Mitch Wishnowsky stepped in as kicker, with fullback Kyle Juszczyk playing the role of the holder. While Wishnowsky successfully scored a 26-yard field goal before halftime, the absence of Moody strained an offense that had already heavily relied on the kicker during the first month of the season.

Looking Ahead for the 49ers

The 49ers are now faced with the task of fixing their red zone woes and improving their late-game defense. They were previously known for their red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 67.2% of their drives inside the 20 in 2023. They will need to return to this level of performance to improve their current standing, which has them placed 30th in the NFL in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on only 40.9% of their drives inside the opponent’s 20.

The urgency to improve these statistics is further amplified by the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey due to lingering Achilles tendonitis. McCaffrey tied for the league lead in touchdowns from scrimmage (21) last year and has not played in any of San Francisco’s five games this season.

Next Steps for the 49ers

The 49ers are eager to put their recent losses behind them and focus on the upcoming games. They will be back in practice on Tuesday before traveling to Seattle. On Monday, they will be bringing in kickers for a trial, with one expected to replace Moody in the short term, according to Shanahan. Despite the disappointing start to their season, the 49ers remain determined to turn things around.