SANTA CLARA -- Three things you need to know about the 49ers’ 24-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12 on Sunday:
1, SHANAHAN MUST MAKE QB DECISION
For the first time since Jimmy Garoppolo was acquired four weeks ago, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has a decision to make.
Shanahan did not have any real decision in the team’s first three games since Garoppolo’s arrival. It was much too early to play Garoppolo in his first two games. And the time certainly was not right for the change to be made after C.J. Beathard played so well against the New York Giants in the 49ers’ only victory over the season.
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But, now, the time could be right for Shanahan to make the call to promote Garoppolo into the starting lineup as he goes back home. Garoppolo grew up outside of Chicago. His first 49ers start could coincide with his first game at Soldier Field, when the 49ers face the Bears on Sunday.
Garoppolo played just three snaps in the 49ers’ loss to Seattle after Beathard went down with a leg injury. Garoppolo picked up 4 yards on a scramble, then completed back-to-back passes, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy on the final play of the game.
Beathard has absorbed a beating in his 5 ½ games since taking over for Brian Hoyer, who is now Tom Brady’s backup in New England. Beathard was sacked three times on Sunday. He was hit 13 times. It is uncertain if he will be physically able to play next week.
That could play some role in Shanahan’s decision – a possible decision the 49ers hope will be a permanent move toward their franchise quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers
2. ‘OUR FANS ARE BETTER THAN THAT’
It is difficult to believe anyone in attendance at Levi's Stadium was cheering the injury that sidelined Beathard late in the game. But the timing of the crowd’s positive reaction to Garoppolo taking the field left many on the 49ers’ sideline disappointed or angry.
“People don’t understand what we through as football players and what our bodies go through," 49ers safety Eric Reid said. "And he’s laying down on the ground and people are cheering. That’s messed up.”
The only problem was the cheers for Garoppolo began while the 49ers’ medical staff was still checking on Beathard’s knee. He said he will undergo an MRI examination on Monday after sustaining the injury to his left knee. He also felt discomfort in his hip, he said. He walked with a limp after the game.
“I was disappointed in them when they were cheering,” 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster said. “Our fans are better than that. It’s a fact that our starting quarterback is down. And he’s been making plays. He’s been taking his body into a lot of things that a quarterback shouldn’t be getting into.
“I have to wait and make sure my brother on the ground is (OK) before I cheer for Jimmy. I’m going to cheer for my brother when he gets off the ground because he’s all right. And then I’m going to cheer for Jimmy.”
3. SEAHAWKS MARK THEIR TERRITORY
The Seahawks (7-4) did not look vulnerable on Sunday against a 49ers team that entered the game feeling good about their chances of pulling off an upset.
Ultimately, Seattle served notice the 49ers (1-10) have not even come close to closing the gap on them. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers for the ninth consecutive time, beginning with the victory in the NFC Championship game in January 2014. Seattle is now 4-0 at Levi’s Stadium.
Again, the 49ers simply have no answer for shifty quarterback Russell Wilson, who has willed his team into the playoff picture. The 49ers’ pass rush got pressure on Wilson but could simply not bring him down.
The game is often decided at the quarterback position, and Wilson again proved to be the best player on the field.