Halfway through the 2020 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers have proven they're too good to tank but not good enough to seriously compete for the NFC West.
The 49ers are not dead.
Not yet, at least.
It might feel convenient to write them off, especially after you wasted three-plus hours of a beautiful Sunday in the Bay to watch a submissive and anemic performance in Seattle. The 37-27 score did not properly reflect how roundly the 49ers were beaten by the rival Seahawks.
But even with a defense that was exposed, an offense that lacked both confidence and execution, a starting quarterback whose play was nowhere near the level necessary to win NFL games, and an ever-growing list of injuries, the 49ers do not deserve such a fate.
No, their position is actually worse than simply being perceived as bad, dead, and buried.
The 49ers find themselves in no man’s land, stuck in the middle at the halfway point of the season.
Their 4-4 record is all too apt.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) makes a catch in front of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Sound
The gallery will resume inseconds
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, is tackled as offensive guard Damien Lewis, right, blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) makes a touchdown pass to wide receiver DK Metcalf (not shown) as San Francisco 49ers safety Marcell Harris, right, pressures during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Nick Mullens #4 celebrates his touchdown to Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers' K'Waun Williams pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is hit by Alton Robinson #98 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: JaMycal Hasty #38 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against Bryan Mone #92 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Jordyn Brooks #56 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: DeeJay Dallas #31 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver David Moore upends himself as he gets up after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) makes a catch in front of Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jayson Stanley (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, right, comes down with a catch for a touchdown under San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (41) and free safety Jimmie Ward, upper left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reacts after he was sacked by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) grabs the jersey of San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers' River Cracraft (86) tackles Seattle Seahawks' David Moore, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: David Moore #83 of the Seattle Seahawks scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Jacob Hollister #86 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Jason Verrett #22 and Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, center, as D.J. Reed (29) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers smiles while taking the field before their game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, center, as D.J. Reed (29) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' defensive end Alton Robinson, right, pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, after Garoppolo got a pass off during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, right, sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) looks to hand off during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walks to the locker room during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
The 49ers are too good to be meaningfully bad. In other words, they’re not nearly bad enough to clear the decks ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline and focus on drafting an impact player like Nick Bosa or a top quarterback prospect. Just the same, they showed Sunday that they’re not good enough to compete with a team like the Seahawks, one of the best teams in the NFL.
As such, the Niners’ season has been a roller coaster. You simply don’t know what you’re going to get on a week-in, week-out basis. Don’t expect that to change. It’s the hallmark of a team with middling quarterback play.
To be abundantly clear: the 49ers’ season isn’t over. They could lose again Thursday night at home against the Packers and still have hope of making the playoffs. If they can make it to their bye week, which starts after their Nov. 15 game at New Orleans, with the .500 record they carry now, they’ll be in position to compete for a spot in the now-seven-team postseason tournament. Top talent is set to return after that bye week, the Niners’ schedule lightens up a bit, and the NFC isn’t that good.
But a year after being the top seed in the NFC playoffs and then being a quarter away from winning the Super Bowl, it’s evident that these Niners are now a second-tier team, incapable of playing with the real big boys — at least at the moment.
Remember: Three-quarters of the Niners’ wins have come against three of the worst teams in the NFL — the Jets, Giants, and Patriots.
Sunday, the Niners didn’t do a single thing better than the Seahawks, a team that is hardly a juggernaut but is firmly established as an NFL blue blood this season.
The 49ers’ offense was broken with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. The failure wasn’t solely his; the Niners’ offensive line couldn’t block and the skill position players couldn’t win one-on-one matchups. But the contrast between the 49ers’ quarterback and the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson was so stark you could barely notice anything else.
Wilson, who had a four-touchdown game, is the kind of elite quarterback who covers up his team’s deficiencies, of which Seattle has many. He elevates his team.
Garoppolo, on the other hand, is the kind of player who adds problems to the Niners’ plate. He needs his team to elevate him.
It takes a special kind of roster — the kind the Niners had last year — to be an elite team if that’s the kind of QB you have.
And for a team with so many injuries — a team that’s on its fifth running back and had to use Dante Pettis in a meaningful spot (he subsequently fumbled the ball) — that’s not a formula for meaningful, consistent success.
Don’t get me wrong: The Niners will get theirs, perhaps as soon as Thursday night in Santa Clara. But those wins will feel sporadic, unreliable, because that’s the nature of their quarterback play.
And can they get nine or 10? A lot of other things can go right, but it’s hard to see it with No. 10 under center. They’re going to need more than a few breaks to go their way.
But moving to backup Nick Mullens isn’t the answer. Some will push that narrative in the days ahead, but his 18-of-25, 238-yard, two-touchdown performance Sunday was fraudulent — a byproduct of a game that Seattle led 30-7 in the fourth quarter before the Niners pulled Garoppolo, whose high ankle sprain is still clearly an impediment to executing things he already struggled to do when healthy.
The whole world saw what Mullens does against defenses that aren’t trying to end the game as fast as possible. He’s a good backup option, but his performance on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles disqualified him as a starting QB.
Then again, the implication that the Niners will have to choose between Garoppolo and Mullens for Thursday night’s game might be faulty, given Garoppolo’s injury.
It might be too generous to call Garoppolo’s play mercurial this season, because he’s been sub-par the last three games.
But the fact remains that Garoppolo gives the 49ers their best chance to win. He might not deserve all the credit for his 26-9 record as a starter, but it’s still a strong record.
We’ll see just enough Good Jimmy to justify his playing time, just enough Bad Jimmy to make anyone question if he should be playing.
Back and forth we’ll go all year long. Peaks and valleys, picks and rallies. Players will return from the injury list and elevate Garoppolo and the Niners, but surely someone else will exit in due time afterward, hurting the team.
I’d like to say something has to give, that the Niners can’t go on living like this, but the truth is that life in football purgatory can be eternal. Success is fleeting. Mediocrity is sticky.
За один день работники Уссурийского ЛРЗ и их дети выполнили сменно-суточное задание по ремонту 129 паровозиков
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
В Московском регионе более 62 тысяч семей распорядились материнским капиталом через банки
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
С начала года более 4,7 тысячи жителей Московского региона оформили страховую пенсию в автоматическом режиме на портале госуслуг
"Святой Ленин" спасает мир и возглавляет "восстание ИИ машин... хороших по существу". 8 серия, СЕРЬЁЗНЫЕ НОВОСТИ.
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
Свыше 5,2 миллиона жителей Московского региона получают набор социальных услуг в натуральном виде
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
С начала года более 4,7 тысячи жителей Московского региона оформили страховую пенсию в автоматическом режиме на портале госуслуг
Планируете отпуск в России? В этих городах есть бюджетное жилье — называем список
История без фальсификации: Шемахи в первой половине XVIII века
Слушатель из Смоленска выиграл на «Авторадио» «Москвич 3»
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
В Московском регионе более 62 тысяч семей распорядились материнским капиталом через банки
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
С начала года более 4,7 тысячи жителей Московского региона оформили страховую пенсию в автоматическом режиме на портале госуслуг
История без фальсификации: Шемахи в первой половине XVIII века
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
В Московском регионе более 62 тысяч семей распорядились материнским капиталом через банки
Хоккеисты из Красногорска завоевали бронзу на чемпионате Москвы и области
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
С начала года более 4,7 тысячи жителей Московского региона оформили страховую пенсию в автоматическом режиме на портале госуслуг
