Let’s get this out of the way from the start: Colin Kaepernick is not the quarterback of the future for the 49ers.
And upon initial review, the score and stats say Kaepernick did not have a particularly good game in a 45-16 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.
But the playmaking eye-test and a close game in the third quarter — despite a defensive meltdown — conflicted those numbers, validating Chip Kelly’s decision to anoint Kaepernick the starter.
Kaepernick completed a woeful 44 percent of his passes (13/29) and the 49ers suffered a 29-point defeat, by far the worst loss of the season. There’s no doubting Tyrod Taylor outplayed him at the position. More than once, Kaepernick was inaccurate and rusty. You can’t win in the second half when your quarterback goes 5/18 for just 83 yards passing.
But before things spiraled out of control, there was a time where Kaepernick was single-handedly keeping the 49ers in the football game. While the run defense repeatedly folded like a lawn chair, the 49ers trailed just 17-13 late in the third quarter. Kaepernick was in the midst of driving the offense the length of the field, but the promising possession was halted when Kelly opted to go with backup running back Mike Davis on 4th and 2. The Bills closed the game on a 21-3 run.
Kelly won’t make that mistake again. Kaepernick was responsible for the team’s only touchdown, a 53-yard strike to Torrey Smith. That, in itself, was probably the best thing Kaepernick did on Sunday: get Smith involved in the offense. Those 76 receiving yards were just the fourth time Smith has hit that mark since joining the 49ers in 2015. Kaepernick can make big plays in the passing game when given the chance.
The offense seemed to have more energy and tempo to it with Kaepernick calling the shots. The blowout score had much more to do with the 49ers’ atrocious run defense, a special teams turnover and Buffalo’s plethora of playmakers. Kaepernick had just one three-and-out when the game was still within reach.
Now that the 49ers are not on the hook for a $14.5 million injury check, the sight of Kaepernick scrambling for effective yards was certainly more threatening then Gabbert’s legs. His eight carries for 66 yards extended drives and will give Kelly more flexibility with play-calling moving forward.
Obviously, some of those 16 incompletions were on inaccurate throws. But some of the incompletions had to do with Buffalo’s big lead in the fourth quarter. The Bills dropped seven players in coverage, making it even more challenging for the 49ers’ receiving corps to get open. His foot work was a tad rough, but give Kaepernick credit for hanging tight in the pocket.
Had Kaepernick not made that big touchdown throw, and had the game been a blowout from the very beginning, you could argue the 49ers should consider going back to Gabbert or maybe even Christian Ponder in Week 7.
But given the circumstances, Kaepernick did not play poorly. This loss cannot be blamed on him, and there were certain things that can be built upon. There’s work to be done, but Kaepernick’s not washed up.
Also, don’t buy into Kelly’s “we’ll see” line on who starts next week. He’s in protection mode now at 1-5. Again, Kaepernick was nowhere near as bad as the stats indicate.
And regardless, it’s not really going to matter who is captaining this sinking ship at quarterback. Earlier we wrote the 49ers are years away from relevancy. Might as well ride with Kaepernick for awhile now.