Does team need Robbie Gould after Jake Moody’s miss? – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 49ers’ fan base got a taste on Sunday of what fans of almost every other NFL team have already experienced this season. The 49ers didn’t just lose; they lost to an inferior team. It was a 19-17 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns that exposed some weaknesses in the 49ers. However, this is just a part of life in the NFL. The 49ers are still a good team, but they are far from perfect, as evidenced by their imperfect win-loss record. Let’s delve into some overreactions in this edition of 49ers Overreactions:

We need to get Robbie Gould back! (Bill H.)

Overreaction? Yes. It’s too early to judge Jake Moody. Despite his two missed kicks in the game against the Browns, he had been perfect in the 49ers’ first five games. Robbie Gould, a 40-year-old kicker, is still without a team but remains determined to continue his career. However, it’s uncertain if he will find a spot with another team, especially not with the 49ers unless they face more difficult days like Sunday. The 49ers made the decision to go with a young kicker, believing he would have a longer range on field goals, more touchbacks, a lower cap number, and the potential to be their long-term solution. They anticipated games like the one in Cleveland.

Too much Dallas celebration, not enough focus on Cleveland. (Rich S.)

Overreaction? No. The 49ers have a professional locker room, but it’s fair to argue that they spent too much time reveling in their victory over the Dallas Cowboys and not enough time preparing for the Browns. The media and fans showered the 49ers with praise after that win, which may have distracted them from the task at hand. While it’s unlikely that this directly impacted their performance, perception can become a reality.

The 49ers can’t win without CMC on the field. (Art F.)

Overreaction? Yes. The 49ers were already a very good team before Christian McCaffrey joined them last year. While McCaffrey has undoubtedly elevated their game, there are other players who could have scored touchdowns in his absence. In fact, the 49ers could have won against the Browns even without McCaffrey playing the entire fourth quarter. His presence is valuable, but not indispensable.

Shanahan should’ve run one more play at the end to get us closer for the FG. (Tay P.)

Overreaction? Yes. The 49ers were already in field-goal range, so taking the risk of running another play and potentially losing possession of the ball wasn’t necessary. Coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to avoid any chances of a turnover and give his team the opportunity for a simple, straightforward kick. While some might argue that they should have gained a few extra yards by handing the ball off to McCaffrey, Shanahan’s decision can be understood. It was the overall handling of the offensive series before the field-goal attempt that may have been the bigger mistake.

Our defense isn’t as good as we thought. (Jalene R. M.)

Overreaction? No. The 49ers’ defense is indeed very good and one of the best in the league. However, it’s possible that the media and fan base have overestimated its strength. The addition of Randy Gregory has bolstered their outside pass rush, but they need to address vulnerabilities in defending run plays on the edge. The Browns showcased a stronger defense against the 49ers’ offense, which had previously been posting high-scoring performances.

Brock proved he DOES have what it takes. He was clutch in the end. (Michael G.)

Overreaction? Yes. While it’s true that Brock Purdy led the 49ers into position for the game-winning kick, his overall performance was subpar. He missed opportunities for big plays, and there were mistakes by other players that made it harder for him to succeed. Every quarterback has bad games, and this was one of them for Purdy. However, he did play a role in setting up the decisive points for the team.

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