There is no such thing as a column for type factors within the NFL, which is lucky, as a result of the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t have earned any of their Monday night time victory over the Carolina Panthers.
However with the 20-9 win, the Niners are sitting at 8-4. In a muddled NFC, they doubtless want simply two extra victories to punch a ticket to the postseason. That’s the mathematics.
Monday was a survival take a look at, and I suppose the Niners did what they wanted to do. It was messy. It was complicated. It was a win.
Right here is who saved the ship afloat, and the person who almost sank it:
💪 STUDS
Christian McCaffrey • RB
Misplaced within the interceptfest was the truth that McCaffrey stays essentially the most dependable bailout plan in soccer.
His 9 touches on the opening drive had been so brutally efficient that there wasn’t time to cease and contemplate that giving him that a lot quantity that early is borderline teaching malpractice. However as soon as Kyle Shanahan lastly determined to cease flirting with catastrophe within the passing sport and simply run outdoors zone, the Niners put the sport on ice.
McCaffrey is at present on tempo to turn into the one participant in NFL historical past to register 1,000 yards speeding and 1,000 yards receiving in a single season twice. We’re watching greatness masks a complete lot of mediocrity.
Jauan Jennings • WR
You can’t break what’s already damaged.
On his game-opening landing, three Panthers defenders converged on Jennings. They hit him from the left. They hit him from the fitting. They hit him from behind. Most receivers fold. Jennings? He merely shrugged them off like a person brushing crumbs off jacket and walked into the tip zone.
It doesn’t matter what else occurs on the stat sheet. A play that boss lands you on the Studs record instantly.
Bryce Huff • DE
Easy evaluation right here: Huff had the juice. He drew two penalties speeding off the sting just because the tackles couldn’t deal with his get-off. When the offense stalled, Huff made certain the Panthers couldn’t take benefit. Bryce Younger will see Huff in his nightmares on Monday.
Ji’Ayir Brown • S
This was the best sport of Brown’s profession. He didn’t simply snag two large interceptions; he was a menace all around the subject. He was erasing receivers within the flat. He was stuffing the run within the C-gap like a linebacker.
Within the fashionable NFL, security play is future. If Brown has leveled up alongside the equally violent Malik Mustapha, the Niners immediately have a duo that may wreck sport plans.
If San Francisco makes a run, it begins with these two.
George Kittle • TE
One other week, one other superlative efficiency. Catching powerful passes? Verify. Mauling defenders within the run sport? Verify. What extra is there to say? He’s the gold normal.
📉 DUDS
Brock Purdy • 3INTQB
The three interceptions had been inexcusable and the one motive this sport wasn’t a blowout by halftime. If you wish to be charitable, you would say the third interception was a terrific play by Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. However even that was solely attainable as a result of Purdy lacked the sector imaginative and prescient to see the hazard earlier than letting it fly.
The primary two? These had been woeful. Underthrown. Late. It regarded like a man who hadn’t taken a snap in years, not a franchise quarterback.
This was Purdy’s worst outing for the reason that Christmas Day debacle in 2023. That is untenable.
You may get away with this towards Carolina. You can’t make the playoffs with play like this. You can’t get away with this nonsense within the playoffs. If San Francisco needs to be greater than a Wild Card exit, Purdy has to seek out his sport.
