The San Francisco 49ers have been a powerhouse in the National Football League for decades, but the 2019 season was one to forget. After making it to the Super Bowl the previous season, the 49ers finished with a record of 13-3, but were unable to make it back to the playoffs in season 8.
The team was plagued by injuries throughout the season, most notably to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He suffered a torn ACL in week 3 and was forced to miss the remainder of the season. This put a huge strain on the offense, as backup quarterback Nick Mullens was unable to replicate Garoppolo’s production. The offense was further hampered by the lack of a consistent running game, as injuries to Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert limited their production.
The defense also struggled throughout the season, as they were unable to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This led to them giving up an average of 24 points per game, which was the sixth-worst mark in the league. The lack of a pass rush also allowed opposing offenses to convert on third down at a high rate, which put even more pressure on the offense.
The 49ers also had difficulty closing out games, as they lost four games by seven points or less. This inability to finish games was a major factor in their failure to make the playoffs.
Overall, the 2019 season was a major disappointment for the San Francisco 49ers. The team was unable to overcome key injuries and their struggles on both sides of the ball led to them missing out on the playoffs. If they are able to stay healthy and improve their pass rush in 2020, they should be able to return to their winning ways and make another run at the Super Bowl.