It wasn’t excellent, however the San Francisco 49ers grabbed a 20-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night time at Levi’s Stadium.
Lack of perfection might be going to outline the 49ers’ season as they attempt to overcome accidents to a few of their greatest gamers, however Sunday’s exhibiting was extra proof that regardless of their varied health-related calamities the 49ers are a staff to be reckoned with within the NFC. At 5-2, they continue to be atop the NFC West and in third place total within the convention.
Listed below are eight takeaways from the 49ers’ fifth win of the season:
49ers get classic Christian McCaffrey recreation
It took seven weeks, however McCaffrey lastly seemed like himself once more. The 49ers’ famous person working again was explosive, compelled some missed tackles, and led the offense in nearly each class. He was their main rusher with a season-high 129 yards. He additionally scored their solely two touchdowns, and he led the membership with seven receptions and 72 receiving yards. McCaffrey has been serving to the 49ers preserve their heads above water all 12 months, however Sunday night time he helped them look extra like a sustainable offense than one merely piecing collectively sufficient performs to win.
George Kittle’s return makes main affect
It is unattainable to overstate how a lot Kittle being again helped the 49ers’ run recreation. Kittle had no catches, however this stat from Subsequent Gen Stats tells the whole story of what Kittle means to San Francisco’s offense.
Mac Jones’s two massive throws shine on gradual night time
With the bottom recreation working, the 49ers did not want a lot from their backup QB. Jones went 17-of-26 for 152 yards and one interception. The turnover got here off a tipped move from WR Jauan Jennings who most likely ought to’ve made the catch. Nevertheless, Jones had two essential performs Sunday night time. The primary one got here earlier than the 49ers’ first landing within the second quarter. On a third-and-4, Jones was pressured and rolled left earlier than flipping a throw excessive of 4 defenders to McCaffrey who was taken down on the 1-yard line. McCaffrey scored on the subsequent play.
Later within the purple zone Jones discovered McCaffrey on a third-and-13 the place the working again slipped in behind a linebacker and in entrance of a defensive again to haul in Jones’s throw on the 4-yard line. McCaffrey scored one play later.
These two third-down conversions have been big-time performs from the backup QB on an evening the place they offense did not ask him to hold the load.
Fred Warner’s substitute Tatum Bethune steps up
Bethune, a seventh-round decide within the 2024 draft, seemed prepared for a tricky matchup in opposition to Atlanta. He was everywhere in the subject for the 49ers and led the way in which with 10 tackles. He additionally had a quarterback stress on the Falcons’ remaining drive. Bethune briefly left the sport within the first quarter and was mum on the problem after the sport whereas talking with NBC reporter Melissa Starks. It wasn’t excellent from Bethune, who received out of place a few instances, but it surely was a formidable outing nonetheless that provides some hope for the 49ers protection even with out Warner in the midst of the entrance seven.
49ers CB Chase Lucas has one other large play
Lucas was a preseason star for San Francisco after spending final 12 months on their observe squad. His play was sufficient to earn a roster spot, and having him has helped the 49ers safe two wins this season. He was the primary participant within the combine to cease Los Angeles Rams working again Kyren Williams on the game-ending fourth-down play at SoFi Stadium. Then Sunday night time with 8:20 to go he broke up a fourth-and-1 move meant for Falcons WR Drake London. The 49ers took over at their very own 35 and went 65 yards to attain the game-winning landing. If Lucas does not give you a move breakup on that fourth down, Sunday’s recreation could have gone very completely different for San Francisco.
Bryce Huff takes over
The 49ers have struggled to search out its move rush with no Nick Bosa on the sphere. Huff answered the decision Sunday night time with two quarterback hits, 1.0 sacks, a deal with for loss and a compelled fumble. He was a nightmare for the Falcons offensive line on Atlanta’s remaining drive. They threw a number of blockers at him and tried leaving him one-on-one and he was within the backfield on nearly each snap. San Francisco’s protection nonetheless wants a extra constant move rush, however having the ability to get residence in apparent passing conditions is an effective begin.
Eddy Pineiro stays excellent
Pineiro linked on each of his subject purpose tries, one from 55 yards out and one other from 43 yards out, to carry his whole with the 49ers to an ideal 17-for-17. That is the kicker Kyle Shanahan has been ready for.
49ers depth chart at security will get a shuffle
It seems the 49ers are having an in-season competitors at security. Rookie Marques Sigle and Ji’Ayir Brown began on the two security spots. Jason Pinnock, who opened the season as a starter, additionally received some run. Malik Mustapha noticed motion in addition to the membership tries to determine its greatest pairing within the again finish of the secondary. Extra importantly, discovering the highest pairing at the back of the secondary frees up different gamers on the depth chart to work as chess items in potential wrinkles from defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Extra 49ers: Kyle Shanahan offers postgame damage updates on 2 starters after win vs. Falcons
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