The 49ers finally found their run game as they rushed for 174 yards while holding the Falcons to a mere 62 yards rushing. George Kittle is the key to springing open the 49ers rushing attack. He seals blocks and lead blocks, allowing Christian McCaffrey to find and dart through the right openings for big yardage. The 49ers running attack also helped hide last night’s deficiencies in the pass game.
Christian McCaffrey is the current 49ers MVP. He has remained the one constant producer week in and week out. This week he rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns while collecting seven receptions for 72 yards. McCaffrey isn’t just a gadget guy. He runs real routes. He ran a 15-yard stop route up the seam from the slot position late in the game to put the 49ers on the Falcons five-yard line. His foot speed and route skill makes him a threat from anywhere on the field. It is difficult to see where the Niners would be without Christian McCaffrey this year.
Matt Jones has been more than serviceable as Brock Purdy’s back up to start the season. He has led the team to four victories. Matt plays with grit, gumption and wit. Jones usually has the answers to the test when hits his back foot on his drops. The ball comes out quickly and accurately. When it doesn’t, Jones struggles at times to improvise. Yet, when the chips were down, his improvisation bought valuable yards.
During the 49ers last scoring drive of the game, Matt Jones made two key plays to help salt the game away. Seven plays into the drive, it was first and ten. At the snap, Jones was immediately under pressure. He squirted through a slight opening in the offensive line and scampered for a seven-yard gain. I use the term scamper loosely. Matt Jones looks comedic when he runs.
A few plays later it was third and thirteen. Jones came under pressure again. He rolled to his left, set and as he was setting he looked the Falcons linebacker off, uncovering McCaffrey. As soon as McCaffrey came open, Jones released a fifteen-yard dart, earning the Niners a first down on the five-yard line.
The 49ers defense outperformed expectations last night. They stoned the current NFL leader in rushing. It was a full team effort led by second year middle linebacker Tatum Bethune. He led the team in tackles. Bethune’s play helped lead the team in holding Bijan Robinson to a paltry 40 yards rushing.
This year’s team is made up of high character players. Early in the game, cornerback Renaldo Green exited the game with an injury. Darrell Luter Jr. stepped in and stepped up. Center Jake Brendel went down. Matt Hennessy stepped in, and the offensive line didn’t miss a beat on Sunday night. Matt Jones threw a dime to Jauan Jennings who bobbled the pass into the hands into a Falcon. The Niners were in scoring range when the turnover occurred. Yet the defense came out, forced a three and out. Then, Matt Jones marched his team down the field and scored their first touchdown of the game.
Coach Shanahan and Coach Saleh are coaching at a masterful level thus far this year. In the week leading up to this week’s game, Coach Shanahan took the time to show the team Fred Warner’s early tape, when he wore the number 48. Then he showed the team their own tape from the last week. His point was “we all start from somewhere. Maybe the next Fred Warner is sitting among you.” Coach Shanahan lit a fire under his team with those actions.
For his part, Coach Saleh is putting together strong defensive game plans. He isn’t afraid to blitz. Coach Saleh understands the islands it puts his defensive backs on, but he isn’t afraid. He trusts his defensive backs and is willing to live with the consequences. Coach Saleh is still all gas no breaks and his players are buying in.
On to Houston.
