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SANTA CLARA – An 8-0 start has given way to three losses in the past six games. Each 49ers defeat has followed a similar, late-game script.
Nov. 11: The Seattle Seahawks got the ball with enough time to drive for a winning field goal as overtime expired.
Dec. 1: The Baltimore Ravens got the ball with enough time to drive for a winning field goal as regulation expired.
Sunday: The Atlanta Falcons got the ball with enough time to drive for a winning touchdown – upon a replay reversal – with two seconds left.
“The last drive, we’ve got to make something happen up front,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said after Sunday’s 29-22 defeat. “We know a lot of people depend on us to make something happen, especially the back end. We can’t put them in a bind like that.”
Simply put, if the 49ers offense doesn’t get the ball back near the end of close games, trouble is coming for their injury-ravaged defense.
“I wanted us to be in that situation, honestly, so the defense could be the reason that we end the game,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “But unfortunately, they made more plays than us on that drive.”
So did the New Orleans Saints a week earlier when Drew Brees’ two-minute drill paid off in a go-ahead touchdown. But – and this should sound familiar — the 49ers got the ball with enough time (53 seconds) to let its offense drive for a winning field goal as time expired.
The 49ers pass rush undisputedly keyed this season’s 8-0 start. And now?
Attrition, exhaustion and poor execution are catching up with the 49ers defense. It makes for a dangerous cocktail heading into their first playoffs in six seasons.
“Our defense, this game, was the first time that they were battling a little bit more than they usually do with missing some starters,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Hopefully we can weather the storm a little bit.
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“I know we’re going to get a few of those guys back, but it’s been the theme with us all year. Our backups came in and play well. I thought they did a good job today, but everyone else out there has to play a little bit better too.”
The 49ers (11-3) still control their playoff-seeding fate, and the No. 1 spot could be theirs if they beat the Rams (8-6) at home on Saturday night and then win at Seattle (11-3), where they haven’t won since 2011Christmas Eve.
“If that’s the position we’re in, then we have a great opportunity ahead of us,” cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon said. “With the character of the men on this team, we want it in our hands. We’re not afraid of that moment.”
Missing from Sunday’s fiasco were four starters who should be back by the playoffs, if not sooner: defensive end Dee Ford, strong safety Jaquiski Tartt and cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams. Not coming back, however, are linebacker Kwon Alexander, nose tackle D.J. Jones and defensive ends Ronald Blair and Damontre Moore.
Rookie defensive end Nick Bosa heaped blame on himself for not making better plays Sunday – even though he had one of the 49ers’ two sacks on Falcons veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. Eluding pressure most of the day, Ryan connected 13 times with Julio Jones for 134 yards and the winning touchdown.
“Every team is dealing with (injuries), but I trust every guy who goes out there. I know I let all of them down,” Bosa said. “Because I didn’t win my rushes. I did the wrong things on a couple plays and I just needed to be more of an impact player.”
Sherman’s presence was sorely missed at left cornerback as Emmanuel Moseley (and others) struggled against Jones.
Safety Jimmie Ward said: “We’re beat up and have got guys out. No excuses. Atlanta was the better team today.”
On the Falcons’ final drive, Ryan completed 5-of-9 passes to move them 70 yards in under two minutes.
On the Falcons’ go-ahead play, the 49ers’ rushed four, and while DeForest Buckner drew a double-team block up the middle, Bosa and Solomon Thomas were blocked off the edge and Arik Armstead closed in on Ryan in his one-on-one matchup. Ryan got off the 5-yard touchdown pass to Jones just as Bosa reached for Ryan.
“We’ve had some good wins, some wild wins throughout my 12 years,” Ryan said. “Against a good football team on the road, that ranks up there.”
The 49ers are a long way away from an 8-0 start, when wide receiver Richie James was celebrating with back flips as the offense took a knee in their victory formation.