In a disappointing season, a team usually reaches a point of no return, the realization, “We’ve met the enemy, and it’s us.” A late collapse against Seattle, a 38-10 loss at Green Bay , a 35-10 loss in Buffalo, where the Bills used the starting offense for almost the entire fourth quarter. Not only are the Niners losing games now, they are getting embarrassed.

Six turnovers in two games, with one interception called back for a questionable penalty. 73 points were scored in seven quarters against the defense. Two touchdowns in eight quarters for the offense.

Technically, the Niners still have a chance to win the division, but their execution shows the team is closer to an early draft pick than the playoffs.

The 49ers could lose Christian McCaffrey this year. He suffered a PCL injury in his knee. An MRI on Monday will determine the extent of the injury and the length of his absence.

With all the criticism that the loss in Buffalo will bring, the 49ers have a chance to examine their personality and show what they can do in a home game against Chicago next week. Win and they’re technically still alive, lose and even the mathematical odds are almost wiped out. The game gives us a glimpse into the 2024 San Francisco 49ers. Whether they still believe in themselves or whether this downward spiral will last through the year.

Play balls

Ben Bartch – A good argument for accepting a starting job from Aaron Banks or Jake Brendel.

Penalty flags

Ji’Ayir Brown – He was targeted by Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady for two of the day’s biggest wins. Brown goes about the pursuit the wrong way and has regressed significantly after losing the developmental coaching of Steve Wilks. Brown was the team’s leading tackler, but not in a good way.

Brock Purdy – A ball jumped out of his hand during a key fumble and an interception was called back after a penalty was missed.

Kyle Juszczyk – A fumble at the goal line due to a punchout by Taylor Rapp.

Deebo Samuel – Four catches for 20 yards and a lost fumble. The Niners needed more from him in this game and didn’t get it, the story of his season.

THE VIEW FROM 10,000 FEET

The 49ers are reeling, but the quotes still lack credibility, a reflection that Kyle Shanahan isn’t holding himself to that standard and his team is taking that cue and following suit. Quotes like “The season is still ahead of us” and “There are still many games left.”

12 games have been played and the team has currently lost all tiebreakers, putting them in position to align the planets to make the playoffs. This is being swept under the rug.

If it helps the team to ignore that and move forward, they need to back that up with a 60-minute football game. They haven’t played a single game in the last 12 games.

There are rumors that this loss to Buffalo marks the end of the Shanahan era. Not yet. The Yorks have given no indication that Shanahan will be fired, and his success has earned him a year of grace. That means another year of missing the playoffs and he could be fired for the responsibility of believing he’s lost the team’s ear.

Shanahan will have time to prove himself next year. He can buy years or dig his own grave.

One could argue that this is the end of the significance of the Shanahan era and that the days of Super Bowl appearances and NFC championship games are over. That may turn out to be true, but that and Shanahan’s future with the team likely won’t be judged for another year.

NEXT

Chicago at home for an afternoon game at Easy Bake. If Chicago lets go of Matt Eberflus, the Bears should be motivated to play in his absence. This is typically the case in such situations. The open question is which Niner team will emerge, the one that can’t stay out of each other’s way or a team that will show the fight and clean execution to maintain their remote playoff chances.

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