The San Francisco 49ers concluded a disappointing season with a devastating 47-24 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals, resulting in a lackluster 6-11 record and marking one of the worst finishes under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

The first half of the game showed promise, as the 49ers trailed closely at 20-17. However, the second half saw the team unravel once more, surrendering a staggering 47 points—an all-time high for their defense this season. This further underscores a troubling trend for the 49ers: the inability to hold leads or mount effective second-half comebacks.

Second Half Meltdown

The 49ers had a glimmer of hope as they headed into halftime, courtesy of a thrilling two-minute drill that ended with a touchdown pass from Josh Dobbs to Ricky Pearsall. Yet, they quickly faltered, conceding a field goal just seconds later and struggling offensively on their first possession of the third quarter.

The second half spiraled out of control; Arizona scored on consecutive touchdown drives, while the 49ers could only respond intermittently. A crucial fumble by Dobbs, combined with an interception that led to another Arizona touchdown, sealed the fate of San Francisco, amplifying their woes. This game marks yet another instance of the 49ers’ second-half struggles, a recurring theme that has plagued their season.

Special Teams Setbacks

While the special teams did not solely determine the outcome, they certainly contributed to the 49ers' troubles. Kicker Jake Moody continued to exhibit inconsistency, missing crucial field goals over 40 yards. Signing him as a third-round pick last year raised expectations, but now, with a mediocre conversion rate—24 of 34 kicks and a ranking of 38th among league kickers—he’s become a liability. San Francisco must address this issue seriously, either by creating competition or seeking a new kicker entirely.

Moreover, the special teams unit squandered opportunities, including a fake punt that led to a score for Arizona. Clearly, special teams have been an ongoing problem, and significant improvement is necessary as they head into the offseason.

A Ray of Hope: Ricky Pearsall

Despite the overwhelming loss, rookie Ricky Pearsall emerged as a bright spot for the 49ers. Building on a strong previous game, he accumulated six receptions for 69 yards and scored once more. Pearsall demonstrated his potential as a key contributor alongside Brandon Aiyuk moving forward. His season totals stand at 400 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his growth and ability to make plays when called upon.

Looking Forward

With the dismal end to their season, the 49ers will need to refocus their efforts during the offseason, particularly in scouting draft prospects and addressing their glaring weaknesses. The upcoming draft could provide them with the opportunity to not only enhance their roster but also to find crucial pieces to rebuild and revitalize the team’s competitiveness for the 2025 season.

As fans speculate on the future, one thing is clear: significant changes must be made to avoid repeating this year's failures and turn the tide in the upcoming year.