The 49ers are slowly starting to put things together. Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings returned to the lineup this week and their impact was immediately felt. Yet, despite their return, the 49ers still suffered thru several common problems that have plagued them all season long.
Special Teams are Still Horrible.
Special teams play almost lost the 49ers the game today. Jake Moody returned to the active roster this week and he had issues. He managed to miss three field goals today, but he also made three including the game winner.
The field goal team was not the only special teams problem today. After the 49ers defense secured a three and out against the Buccaneers on their opening drive of the second half, Jacob Cowing muffed the punt. His blocker was pushed into him and instead of waving off, he attempted to fair catch the ball unsuccessfully. After securing the muffed punt, Tampa was able to score a few plays later bringing the game to a tie.
Special teams can win or lose the game for your team. In this case, the 49ers squeaked out a win because Jake Moody kicked a 44-yard field goal with 3 seconds to go in the game. The 49ers continue to make preventable mistakes on special teams. The coaches must emphasize it in practice. If they don’t, the 49ers will regret it when it matters most in the season.
Grading Brock Purdy’s Day.
Brock Purdy played a good to great game today. He started the game off slow. His throws were high, off target and he was surprisingly indecisive. He missed several reads; likely due to the constant rush he was facing. Finally, he was sacked three times.
Once Brock settled down, he was able to make good reads and on target throws. Jennings was his safety blanket converting several important third downs. Yet, Jennings also had a slow start, dropping four passes of eleven passes today. A lot of credit goes to Brock Purdy for continuing to throw to Jennings who finished the day with seven receptions for 93 yards.
Play Makers.
Ricky Pearsall managed to score his first career touchdown today. It was the only touchdown of the first half. Purdy found him on a deep over route as Pearsall cut thru the Buccaneer zone. Pearsall caught it in stride and ran it in for a touchdown. He caught a total of four receptions for 73 yards today.
Christian McCaffrey impacted the run and pass game today. He totaled 107 yards from the line of scrimmage. 68 of those yards came thru the air.
McCaffrey’s best play occurred midway thru the fourth quarter. The niners were down 17-13. Purdy took the snap, and he surveyed the field as the pocket collapsed around him. Just as he was about to be wrapped up, he threw a beautiful pop fly to the waiting arms of McCaffrey who turned it up field. It was a 30-yard play putting the 49ers in scoring position.
A few plays later the Niners were in the red zone. Purdy is in the gun. He takes the snap and is once again immediately under pressure. He scrambles first to the right then he comes back left. George Kittle mirrors his quarterback’s movement as he executes the scramble drill. Purdy lays out the ball where only Kittle can catch it in the corner of the endzone and the Niners were able to go up 20 – 17.
Tampa’s Last Drive.
Today’s game was a tight, back and forth game. The Buccaneers are a talented well coached football team. Baker Mayfield is a gifted, gutsy and tough quarterback. With only two minutes to go, Baker was asked to win the game. He had to settle for a tie.
The Buccaneers last drive of the game was one of the craziest set of circumstances I have seen in a ball game. The 49ers defense forced a fourth and seven. At the snap, Nick Bosa gets around his man and is chasing Mayfield down. Baker stiff arms Bosa. With Bosa’s arms wrapped around the stiff arm, Baker miraculously flips the ball to Rashad White for a first down.
The 49ers defense forced another third and seven. On the next play, Fred Warner gets hit with a facemask penalty as he blitzed the quarterback. On the next play, Malik Collins gets hit with a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Then, after the defense tackles the runner behind the line of scrimmage, another defender gets flagged for illegal hands to the face.
Three penalties and yet the 49ers still managed to force a field goal attempt to bring the game to a tie. During that drive the 49ers were forced to use two of their time outs to help preserve time.
Purdy’s Game Winning Drive.
Brock Purdy was given 41 seconds to win the game. He started the drive by connecting with Jennings on an out cut route to the left for six yards. Then, Purdy lined up in the gun. Pearsall motioned from left to right. Purdy took the snap and was immediately pressured. He connected with Pearsall on another out cut for six yards and a first down.
On the next play Purdy lined up in the gun once again. He took the snap and made a five stop drop. The protection was good, and Purdy patiently waited as Pearsall cut across the middle. Purdy found Pearsall for a fourteen-yard gain over the middle.
After the 49ers took a time out, Purdy lines up in the gun again. Jennings lined up in the slot. Pearsall motions from right to left. Jennings ran a slot out cut and Purdy connects with him. Jennings shrugged off a tackler and ran it up field for another seven yards. With three seconds to go Purdy spikes the ball in preparation for Jake Moody’s game winning kick.
Brock Purdy executed an excellent game winning drive. He took advantage of the off coverage and threw on target. He led his team down field connecting four out of four passes to a rookie and a veteran. While this team still has work to do, Purdy showed us he still has ice in his veins when the chips are down.
Next week the Niners welcome Seattle.
