Happy New Year, Folks!

2024 has arrived, and with it, loads of stories in and around the world's greatest football league.

Lots has changed in just a short amount of time, so let's focus in on how it's affected your favorite group of 53 in the early going, as we pass the half-way point of Season 86.

JOIN US, FAITHFUL!

1. 49-In-5? 4(9)-AND-5!

We'll start with the biggest, most obvious story first!

After our last update, there was a cautious optimism after games against Seattle and Phildelphia tested our production in familiar ways. The hope was that going along in the schedule would provide a spark during a long stretch of big tests against Kansas City, Minnesota, New York, Tampa Bay, and both teams in LA.

Unfortunately, it went the other way, putting glaring production issues (namely on defense) at the forefront. Since starting the season 3-1, the Good Guys have gone just 1-4 in our last 5 games, with the only win being a miracle finish against Kansas City that could have easily been a loss without a clutch forced fumble from Hufanga.

In that stretch, none of the losses have been close or competitive, with 3 of the 4 losses seeing the Good Guys score less than 21 points, not a great sign when the offense is meant to be the saving grace.

Defensively, a combination of injuries has not helped (which we'll get to), but there are more glaring issues than that. The 49ers have fallen to dead-last in rushing defense, and bottom 5 in almost every other statistical category.

Importantly, this staff and this team have been in this situation before, and while we now sit far down the NFC West rankings, there are still games to be played and there are still reasons to be optimistic about a playoff run. 49ers fans, staff, coaches, and doubters alike should all remember that the Faithful can never be discounted and that shaky starts are not damnation. We ride forward!

2. Grueling Gauntlet

As was mentioned previously in 49-In-5, the schedule for Season 86 did not favor the 49ers, especially in the early going. Including our week 11 showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers, only Arizona, Seattle, and Dallas are under .500 (and Dallas has bounced back to a 4-5 record in their own right).

We knew the gauntlet was coming, and as was mentioned, hoped they'd be proof of competence, but it simply has not gone that way.

On the flipside, the entire schedule was frontloaded, and at 4-5 looking to fight back into the NFC playoff picture, the Good Guys face just 2 winning teams in weeks 12-18 (LAR, LV). The road ahead will certainly not be easy, but should be less punishing than a gauntlet of solidified super bowl contenders.

3. Throw Up the X

Similar to a season 83 campaign that saw several star players miss chunks of time, the gauntlet was not made any easier. While not quite as intrusive as before, key injuries to Chris Jones, Fred Warner, and Brett Nugent have only made things more frustrating.

Jones, who missed all of the games against Arizona, Tampa, and Philadelphia, returned and was a key contributor over the close win against his former team in Kansas City.

Fred Warner was injured against Minnesota, causing him to miss some key defensive snaps against their incredibly strong run game. He further aggravated this injury at practice, causing him to miss the entire games against both New York and the Rams. He has been ruled out as well against the Chargers tonight.

Nugent (and several other members of the offensive line) have been in and out of the lineup, a clear historical red-flag when it comes to football. So much of the strength of an offensive line is in it's chemistry and cohesion, something that's hard to build when there are so many different combinations in such a short time.

As we head into a showdown at Levi's with the Chargers, linebackers Dee Winters and Fred Warner will be out, and we will hope to rely on the stellar play of Cole Holcolmb and 3rd year man Josh Sander to breakout as we keep hopes alive.

4. Course Correction

As the new regime took over the powerhouse roster, there were always questions about how the payroll would be handled in the long-run. As has been mentioned by various outlets, it's been clear that Ricky Chapstick and the 49ers committed themselves to the power of their players in their prime, needing to sacrifice heavily valued players in order to keep those who bring the most to the Bay.

Unfortunately, this also means sacrificing youth and draft picks, evident by the 49ers having just 2 7th round draft picks in the last class.

Very easy talking point to call this a mistake after those who were maintained leading the 49ers to a 4-5 record so far, but trades this season have been used in order to find a bit of a middle-ground between the two ideologies.

The first trade saw another pick out the door as we traded for Laremy Tunsil. Despite the losing record, Tunsil and the passing game has still been strong and still has the best hope for turning the franchise around. Tunsil is expected to be tagged this offseason.

The second trade went the other way, as offensive coordinator Nick Gregory was traded for a 2nd round pick in Buffalo, that will at least recoup some youth for the back half of coach Chapstick's 49ers contract.

The final trade was probably the toughest to make. Since the start, WR Deebo Samuel and FS Ji'Ayir Brown were beloved members of the Faithful. Their expiring contracts were certainly the main reason for the difficult choice to trade them to Jacksonville for FS Kendrick Tull (younger, more athletic, on a 2 year deal) and an additional 2nd round pick this year. The emergence of Brandon Aiyuk has been healthy for the offense, and we don't expect too much falloff as 2nd year man Tavarres Barnes takes over as WR2.

While not perfect, these trades are a good sign that balance is back on the way in San Francisco.

5. The Janitors Have Been Fired

Through all of the struggle, it can be very easy to fall into despair and concede when the going gets tough. In the past, we've seen instances of this in the past, both near and far from our beloved organization. It would be easy to let this affect our outlook on the season, cast blame on others, make excuses for our losses, or become bitter and jaded.

The good news is that the janitors have been relieved. Whether it's a miraculous run that leads us back to the promise land as it did several seasons ago - or we lose out and end the season 4-13, it's important to finish strong, for the sake of chance, for the sake of hope, and for the sake of momentum heading into a pivotal offseason.

There will be no mops used down the home stretch, for better or worse.

(This may not be the best analogy. No actual janitors have lost their jobs and you can continue to expect a clean and healthy experience during your visit to Levi's Stadium)

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Pulling back the curtain, things haven't been great in life recently, and has been testing me in all facets, including things I enjoy. I know I haven't been annoying people as much lately in chat and haven't been a gem to talk to in general. We all got problems to deal with in our own ways, so I'll leave it at that and continue shouldering through the valleys awaiting another peak.

No feeling lasts forever, good or bad, and sometimes we all need a little dose of darkness in order to remind us how bright the light can be.

Happy 2024 to all. Keep up the work that makes us the best league in the world, friends. Be well.