Cowing figured to be a player who saw a bigger role with veteran WR Deebo Samuel sidelined by a calf injury. His absence wasn’t much of a story as WR Jauan Jennings put up an 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown game, but it was put under a spotlight when second-year WR Ronnie Bell dropped a key throw late in the loss.

There’s no questioning how good Kyle Shanahan is as an offensive play-caller. But after a stunning collapse to the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers head coach is drawing some serious fire over a different aspect of football: special teams.

The 49ers jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead against the Rams on Sunday, and it looked like they were going to dominate an overmatched and injury-riddled opponent.