49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan prefers to use veterans over younger, more talented players. And in this game, that was the margin of defeat.

A wide-open Ronnie Ball drops a ball that short-circuits a potential game-winning drive. Why Bell over Jacob Cowing? Too late to ask now. De’Vondre Campbell was killing it the entire game, including a crucial pass interference play. He was too old last year’s fateful year, his play doesn’t warrant the starts now.

Combine that with a stellar special teams performance and the Rams win a crucial early game 27-24.

The Niners were missing key players but still won the game. Unfortunately, late decisions by the coach and the resulting poor execution proved decisive.

The blame can certainly be laid at the feet of special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, whose teams once again contributed to a loss with a successful fake punt by the Rams and the giving up of a 37-yard punt return with the game tied. And kicker Jake Moody missed left field goal on a key field goal.

The loss can also be attributed to a secondary that gave up 93 yards to Tutu Atwell and a run defense that gave up crucial conversions to Kyren Williams.

It all comes down to a self-inflicted defeat. If you get the details wrong in football, you usually lose. Details like playing Bell over Cowing and starting Campbell are like karma, it always catches up with you.

The Niners are now 1-2, losing the tiebreaker to the Rams and opening the division at 0-1.

While the Niners had to get the ship back on course, the ship began to sink.

Game balls

Jauan Jennings – 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Putting Jennings in the Deebo and Kittle roles paid off in a career game. One benefit of having players out is the opportunity for others to step up. Jennings made a clear statement that he needs more targets and a bigger role in the offense.

Talanoa Hufanga – Second on the team in tackles with seven in his first game back from a long injury.

Penalty flags

The coaching staff – Outperformed again, and for the second week in a row they have directly contributed to a defeat.

Jake Moody – He was drafted with the intent of making field goals of 50+ yards when the game was on the line, and in the NFL so far he’s proven that you can’t count on him.

Next week

Home for the Patriots in a game where the Niners will need to find their confidence. The next eight weeks include two games against undefeated Seattle, Kansas City, and close out with cold-weather games in Green Bay and Buffalo. The opening weeks acted as a replacement for camp, but camp will end once the Niners travel to Seattle on October 10.