49ers Overreactions: Does the Team Need Robbie Gould After Jake Moody’s Crucial Miss?
The 49ers fan base experienced what supporters of other NFL teams have already gone through. The 49ers weren’t just beaten; they were beaten by an inferior team, exposing their flaws in a 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. However, it’s important to remember that this is a part of life in the NFL. While the 49ers are a good team, they are not perfect, as reflected in their imperfect win-loss record.
Let’s address some of the overreactions:
We need to get Robbie Gould back! (Bill H.)
This is an overreaction. It’s too early to judge Jake Moody. While his two misses were costly in the 49ers’ loss to the Browns, it’s important to remember that he was perfect in the team’s first five games. Robbie Gould, who is currently without a team at 40 years old, might have a chance to come back if the 49ers have more days like Sunday. However, the 49ers made a deliberate decision to part ways with Gould this offseason in favor of Moody, their top-rated rookie kicker. They believe Moody can improve their field goal range, increase touchbacks, and be the long-term solution at kicker.
Too much Dallas celebration, not enough focus on Cleveland. (Rich S.)
This is not an overreaction. The 49ers have a professional locker room, but they might have spent too much time celebrating their victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The external praise and media attention on the 49ers’ win over the Cowboys might have affected their focus and intensity leading up to the game against the Browns. While it may not have directly impacted their performance on Sunday, perception can become reality.
The 49ers can’t win without Christian McCaffrey on the field. (Art F.)
This is an overreaction. The 49ers were a very good team before Christian McCaffrey joined them. He certainly made them even better and has been a consistent touchdown scorer. However, the 49ers had a chance to win against the Browns even without McCaffrey playing the entire fourth quarter. While McCaffrey’s presence adds value to the team, it doesn’t mean they can’t win without him.
Shanahan should’ve run one more play to get closer for the FG. (Tay P.)
This is an overreaction. The 49ers were already in field-goal range, so taking another play to get a few extra yards might have been risky. Coach Kyle Shanahan likely didn’t want to take the chance of a turnover that could prevent the team from even attempting the winning kick. The decision to kick on third down was to leave enough time and a timeout for a mishandled snap scenario, not necessarily because a 38-yard attempt is substantially better than a 41-yarder. The bigger mistake might have been the three-and-out offensive series when the 49ers took over with a one-point lead, failing to run down the clock.
Our defense isn’t as good as we thought. (Jalene R. M.)
This is not an overreaction. While the 49ers’ defense is very good, the media and fan base might have slightly overrated them. The addition of Randy Gregory has strengthened their pass rush, but it has also made them more susceptible to run plays on the edge, as seen in the game against the Browns. Despite the 49ers’ high-scoring offense, the Browns’ defense looked stronger in that matchup.
Brock proved he DOES have what it takes. He was clutch in the end. (Michael G.)
This is an overreaction. While Brock Purdy led the 49ers into position for the game-winning kick, he had a bad game overall. He missed opportunities for big plays and had accuracy issues. However, it’s important to remember that every quarterback has these types of games. Purdy did his part in the end, but it just didn’t work out for the team.
It’s crucial not to make hasty judgments and let emotions dictate reactions. The 49ers still have a lot of potential and talent, but there are areas they need to improve upon to reach their goals.
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ohn Smith is your NFL insider, providing in-depth coverage of football’s biggest league. With a passion for the game and a keen eye for statistics, John delivers game analysis, player profiles, and breaking news to keep readers updated on all things NFL.