The San Francisco 49ers won the game, but this was despite a serious problem: Jake Moody. And it’s a problem that fans will have to deal with for another week, according to his coach.
“No question,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said when asked if Moody would remain with the team.
Moody went 1-3 on field goals in the 49ers’ 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and those two misses turned what might have been a less stressful game into a game where the 49ers were leaning towards four-down
territory on every series.
The first field goal, a 27-yard attempt, turned into a disappointing doink:
And Shanahan’s expression says it all:
The second one isn’t so much on Moody and the 49ers’ special teams. The protection broke down, allowing Seahawks safety Julian Love to get a hand on the ball.
“We gotta clean up that protection,” Shanahan said, speaking on the second kick. “That’s everyone there, that one wasn’t Jake, just the whole operation.”
The one field goal Jake Moody did make was a 32-yarder to tie the game.
The 49ers elected to keep the offense on the field on fourth and two twice within their own red zone following the first Moody miss. A decision Shanahan said had nothing to do with the kicker’s struggles.
“I want to say those were fourth and two,” Shanahan said, recalling the plays. “So I don’t think that changed it. Would have kicked it if it was more than that.”
Moody’s performance was a source of frustration and anxiety for fans through the 2024 season. The 49ers brought in Greg Joseph for a competition at training camp, but released Joseph before the competition could have a definite winner due to roster needs.
The Buffalo Bills managed to get Matt Prater a week ago to fill in for starter Tyler Bass, who went on injured reserve with a groin injury. Prater made all three of his attempts, including the game-winner as time expired in the Bills’ 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens. As for Greg Joseph, he remains available.
