Golden Nuggets: Fell for the trap

Shanahan stressed the possibility of a trap game all week, but it seems even he was caught up in it. Forcing the ball to George Kittle, giving Tevin Coleman snaps over the more effective Raheem Mostert, and the overall lethargic performance from the offense led to an ugly loss to a team that had no business winning this game. That is not meant to be an indictment of the Atlanta Falcons roster; I am referring to the Falcons’ overall sloppy play that resulted in numerous penalties and miscues that would’ve cost most teams a game. The 49ers’ offense needed to step up while the defense was banged up and they just failed to do so.

I must apologize, but I tend to get extremely emotionally involved in these games, and it’s just harder for me write after they lose. I’ll try to come up with a more positive topic in tomorrow’s Nuggets, but for now, here are the links...

49ers Lose to Falcons on Last-Second Touchdown (NBC Bay Area)

Falcons-49ers bettors watched the Over hit via a bizarre special teams touchdown on final play (Pete Blackburn, CBS Sports)

49ers claim first playoff berth since 2013 with Rams’ loss (Nick Wagoner, ESPN)

Rapid Reaction to the 49ers’ 29-22 loss against the Falcons (Matt Andruscavage, 49ers Webzone)

A Wild Falcons-49ers Finish Set Up an All-Time Great NFC Playoff Race (Riley McAtee, The Ringer)

49ers ‘mulling’ waiver claim for Terrell Suggs, per report (David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone)

5 takeaways from 49ers’ lackluster loss to Falcons (Kyle Madson, Niners Wire)

Why the Officials Deserve Credit for the Calls in the Final Frantic Seconds of Falcons-49ers (Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated)

NFL stats and records, Week 15: 49ers lose in historic fashion (NFL.com)

NFL playoff picture: Where 49ers stand in NFC after loss vs. Falcons (Marcus White, NBC Sports)

Around the league...

Week 15 NFL takeaways: Packers, Eagles avoid letdown, and Texans take control in AFC South (ESPN)

NFL Playoff Picture: Who’s in, Who’s Out After Week 15? (Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated)

Report: NFL Yet to Start Investigation or Interview Patriots About Illegal Video (Scott Polacek, Bleacher Report)

NFL Week 15 grades: Bengals get a ‘D’ as they ‘Bungle for Joe Burrow,’ Cowboys get ‘A+’ for steamrolling Rams (John Breech, CBS Sports)

NFL releases statement on coin flip controversy in Cowboys’ win over Rams: ‘We had definitive audio’ (Patrik Walker, CBS Sports)

Notable injuries from Sunday’s Week 15 NFL games (NFL.com)