SEATTLE – Anquan Boldin will enter unfamiliar territory this January.
The San Francisco 49ers leading receiver will not be a part of the postseason. After the 49ers were defeated, 17-7, on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco was officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Boldin will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2007, when he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
Boldin's six-year playoff run included a Super Bowl victory with the Baltimore Ravens. It, of course, came at the expense of the 49ers.
With San Francisco falling to 7-7 on the year, Boldin, the consummate professional, tried to offer his thoughts on the disappointment of missing the postseason.
"It's definitely tough, especially for me," Boldin said. "I'm very competitive. I always feel like I'm supposed to win. I can't tell you the last time I didn't make the playoffs. For me, it's tough, but I'll continue to fight."
Boldin caught two passes for 23 yards against Seattle's top-ranked pass defense. Though the 49ers got up to a 7-3 lead in the first half, the passing game could not get into a rhythm in the second half against the Seahawks.
San Francisco was "decimated by injuries," according to Boldin.
Running backs Frank Gore and Pierre Garçon were both unable to finish the game with a concussion and an ankle injury, respectively.
The loss of the team's top runners played a part in the offense's second-half struggles.
But despite the final outcome, Boldin spoke highly of his teammates.
"I'm proud of these guys in this locker room," the veteran receiver said. "They came out and handled themselves well today. I think everybody came out and played their (tails) off. We did fall short, but I think everybody fought today."
Select images from the San Francisco 49ers rematch with the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in the Emerald City.
Boldin didn't go out of his way to blame the seven-loss season on the rash of injuries that saw 13 players placed on season-ending Injured Reserve in 2014. He simply agreed when a reporter posed him the topic.
"Yeah, you could say that," Boldin said. "Although, we don't make excuses. Whoever's out there has to play. This is the NFL. Nobody who is on this team deserves that (blame)."
Boldin continued on the injury subject: "We expect guys to perform when they're in there, but with that being said, it's tough when you're down the way we were, out two 'backs, down to our third center, down to our second right tackle, so on and so forth. I mean, I thought we ran out of linebackers as well.
"There's a lot that goes on, that plays into it. But we're football players. When you step on the field, you have to do a job."
San Francisco played with its seventh offensive line combination against Seattle. The fact wasn't lost on Boldin. The dependable receiver did not miss a start this season.
"I don't think we had everybody healthy at one time," Boldin said. "But like I said, we don't make excuses."
Boldin won't make any changes to his approach with two games left on the schedule. Week 16 and 17 home tilts against the San Diego Chargers and Cardinals will bring out the same effort displayed every week by Boldin.
"I have a job to do these last two weeks," Boldin said. "Nothing changes for me, the way I approach the game, the way I play the game, nothing changes."
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