George Kittle’s third-down fumble coming out of the two-minute warning didn’t directly lose the game for the 49ers, who fell to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 29-22 at Levi’s Stadium.
It was a costly play though considering the final outcome. On third-and-4 at the Atlanta 28, Kittle caught a pass on the right side and rumbled toward what looked like a game-sealing first down. Then the ball inexplicably popped out of his hands.
The tight end alertly dove on the ball and slid out of bounds a yard shy of the first-down marker. Kittle explained to reporters after the game how he lost the ball with no defenders around him.
“Just dropped it,” he said. “I tried to switch hands with it so I could get a stiff-arm in. It didn’t work out well for me.”
Atlanta, down to two timeouts, could’ve stopped the clock twice, but the 49ers would’ve effectively been able to ice the game had Kittle gotten the first down in that spot.
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The fumble instead forced the 49ers to kick a field goal and go ahead 22-17 with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter. Atlanta took the extra possession and drove down to score the game-winning touchdown.
Kittle’s third-down catch was his 13th of the day on his 17th target. He also racked up 134 yards on his way to becoming the most prolific receiving tight end ever through three seasons. A mistake like dropping the ball is bound to happen to any player that gets as much work as Kittle.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey said all of Kittle’s contributions outweigh one hiccup.
“Nobody’s worried about that,” McGlinchey told reporters after the game. “George Kittle, what he does for this football team far outweighs a glimpse like that, you know. Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, Ii don’t care. That play, we got to protect a little better, maybe the ball gets him a little more time to . get down the field. Nobody’s thinking about that.”
Despite the loss, the 49ers clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2013 thanks to the Rams’ loss in Dallas. If San Francisco is going to make noise in the postseason, they’re going to continue to lean heavily on their star tight end.