The San Francisco 49ers managed a late touchdown on Jimmy Garoppolo’s second pass of the season, and it was actually moderately significant. Louis Murphy’s touchdown catch was the first regular season touchdown catch by a 49ers wide receiver against the Seattle Seahawks since 2010.
I specify “regular season” because Anquan Boldin had a touchdown catch in the 2014 NFC title game. The Seahawks have had a strong secondary throughout much of these 6+ seasons, but to get no receiver touchdowns at all during that regular season span? That’s something else entirely.
The 49ers head into the final five games of their schedule with plenty of questions at wide receiver. Louis Murphy and Marquise Goodwin are the starters, with Trent Taylor effectively a starter given their use of three-receiver sets. Aldrick Robinson and Kendrick Bourne are competing for additional time, and Bourne might emerge as the fourth receiver next year.
Murphy is holding Pierre Garçon’s spot warm for the time being and Taylor is looking like a solid part of the future as a receiver and returner. Goodwin has been particularly intriguing, leading the NFL in yards per reception, and putting together a career year. The 49ers could use a long term clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but with cap space and high draft picks at their disposal this offseason, I think we could see the 49ers add some depth to a unit that should be able to take a step forward next year.