]

BREAKING NEWS: Deebo Samuel’s key drop part of a bad night for the 49ers offense… – VC

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Deebo Samuel called for the ball more often this week on social media.

When the ball came his way at a big spot in the game for San Francisco, Samuel ended up dropping it in a key play in a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night that just about doomed the playoff hopes for the 49ers.

The play in question came midway through the third quarter with the game tied at 3 and the Niners driving for a go-ahead score. Brock Purdy targeted Samuel on a slant over the middle on third-and-10 and hit him right in the hands.

But he dropped it instead, turning a potential touchdown into a field goal and leading to boos from the home crowd.

“I catch that ball, there´s nothing there but the end zone,” Samuel said. “At the end of the day, I gotta catch that rock.”

Instead, it was part of another lackluster day for a player who has gone from an All-Pro in 2021 to an unproductive one this season. Samuel tried to explain why he has gained only 97 yards from scrimmage the previous four games when he posted: “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!”

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. reacts after dropping a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Samuel later deleted the post, but not after it caused a bit of a social media firestorm and called it a matter of frustration.

The Niners tried to get him involved early Thursday night with Purdy throwing to him on the first play only for it to get broken up. Samuel ended the night with three catches on seven targets for 16 yards and two rushes for 3 yards as he was held to less than 30 yards from scrimmage for a fifth straight game.

But it was the play in the third quarter that stings the most.

“That was a big one,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Third down, and with Deebo´s skillset, it was a shot and we didn´t score on the play. Deebo clearly needs to catch that ball.”

It was that type of game for the 49ers, who were held to their fewest yards (191) in a regular- season game in eight seasons under Shanahan and the fewest points since scoring three in Shanahan’s debut in 2017.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., center, is tackled by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom, front right, and others during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“Not good enough,” Shanahan said. “I thought we played good enough to win obviously on defense and special teams. But we didn´t get enough done on offense.”

There was plenty of blame to spread around. Both offenses struggled during heavy rain in the first half when there was a heavy downpour but the 49ers weren’t any better when the conditions improved after halftime.

After settling for a field goal on their first drive of the third quarter, the 49ers stalled. Purdy couldn’t connect on a deep shot to Samuel on the next drive that ended with a punt.

Then after falling behind 9-6, Purdy missed an open Ricky Pearsall on a deep throw with the Niners in Rams territory. Two plays later, his deep shot to Jauan Jennings was intercepted by Darious Williams in the end zone.

“Looking back on it, second-and-11, just be smart, try to check the ball down when I can´t see where he is at,” Purdy said. “So, just got to learn from it.”

It was a rough night overall for Purdy, who was held to less than 160 yards passing for the third time in four games. He went 14 for 31 for 142 yards with the interception and failed to lead a single TD drive.

The Niners lost a game when they didn’t allow a TD for the first time since 2007 and are all but eliminated from playoff contention.

“I just feel like I had a lot of plays left out there that I could have made for our team,” Purdy said. “I thought the defense and special teams played so good. And that´s what´s hurting me is I just feel like I failed the team. I could have been better for our offense and we could have put up more points

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) runs against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Related Posts

BREAKING: Dolрhins trаde lаnds rookie QB to bаttle Shedeur Sаnders. -CRISS

The Miаmi Dolрhiпs аre пot iп the mаrket for а stаrtiпg qυаrterbаck, bυt did iпfυse some comрetitioп iпto the bаckυр job by drаftiпg а rookie qυаrterbаck who wаs oпce…

“MONEY CAN’T BUY ME!” – Detroit Lions star Jared Goff turned down a $10 million offer from Elon Musk to join the Tesla Team. This bold and principled decision not only stunned the media but also caused an unexpected reaction from Musk. – criss

Iп a sυrprisiпg twist that blυrred the liпes betweeп professioпal sports aпd high-tech bυsiпess, Jared Goff, qυarterback of the Detroit Lioпs, reportedly tυrпed dowп a $10 millioп eпdorsemeпt aпd collaboratioп…

BREAKING: Prominent LGBT billionaire Tim Cook offered George Kittle $200 million and an 49ers sponsorship for the 2025 season if he would make an openly pro-LGBT ad forever, in response George Kittle said just 1 sentence that left the entire NFL speechless…-CRISS

Iп a stυппiпg tυrп of eveпts that’s seпdiпg shockwaves across the NFL aпd social media platforms worldwide, reports have sυrfaced that Apple CEO aпd promiпeпt LGBT billioпaire Tim…

BREAKING: The Detroit Lions have been officially recognized as the best and most unified football program in the world, a title jointly awarded by ESPN, Netflix and Guinness World Records. -CRISS

Iп a historic aпd υпprecedeпted aппoυпcemeпt, the Detroit Lioпs have beeп officially recogпized as the best aпd most υпified football program iп the world. The prestigioυs hoпor was…

49ers Star George Kittle Reportedly Rejects $10 Million Offer From Elon Musk To Join Tesla Initiative — Cites Personal Values Over Fortune, Prompting Surprising Reaction From Tech Billionaire. – CRIISS

“MONEY CAN’T BUY ME!” – 49ERS star George Kittle tυrпed dowп a $10 millioп offer from Eloп Mυsk to joiп the Tesla Team. This bold aпd priпcipled…

SHOCK: Aidan Hutchinson Quietly Gives a Large Sum of Money and a “Special Gift” to a Pregnant Black Woman at a Gas Station — No Cameras, Just Tears and Kindness! -CRISS

Iп a toυchiпg aпd υпexpected momeпt, Detroit Lioпs star Aidaп Hυtchiпsoп qυietly gave a large sυm of moпey aпd a special gift to a pregпaпt Black womaп…