SANTA CLARA — The sport ended on fourth-and-10, with harried and hurried Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throwing to nobody particularly with second-year linebacker Tatum Bethune in his face on a blitz.
It was a becoming finish to a 20-10 win by the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Sunday night time, an vital win for a crew with an unbelievable 5-2 document regardless of myriad accidents to key gamers.
Nick Bosa has been out since Sept. 14 with a torn ACL and won’t return. A second intestine punch arrived final week when Fred Warner went out with a damaged and dislocated proper ankle. He in all probability gained’t be again both, even when the 49ers make it to the postseason.
But right here had been the 49ers, shutting down a Falcons crew that piled up 443 yards together with 210 yards dashing on an excellent Buffalo crew the week earlier than. It was the fewest factors allowed by the 49ers this season, higher than the 17-13 win in Week 1 in Seattle when each of the 49ers’ defensive stars had been within the lineup.
The 49ers bottled up Atlanta operating again Bijan Robinson (14 carries, 40 yards, six receptions, 52 yards) on an evening when Christian McCaffrey reminded a nationwide tv viewers how particular he’s.
Additionally they rushed the passer with Bryce Huff and Sam Okuayinonu getting one every and the 49ers complicated Penix with an array of well-timed and well-executed blitzes.
When beginning nook Renardo Inexperienced left with a toe damage, Darell Luter Jr. changed him and did high quality work. Lucas performed effectively within the slot and got here up with an enormous play — nearly a pick-six — by breaking apart a move supposed for Drake London with 1:47 to play. The 49ers additionally used security Jason Pinnock as a “big nickel” security and left Deommodore Lenoir outdoors quite than play within the slot.
The 49ers confirmed that every one the religion they displayed through the week about Bethune changing Warner was extra than simply wishful considering or whistling within the graveyard. He was pretty much as good as they thought he’d be.
“I love his passion for the game,” cornerback Chase Lucas stated. “I think Fred has done a great job mentoring him and I see him as a young Fred. He’s going to do a lot of big things in this league, a lot of big things in this organization.”
As Warner watched from a non-public field together with his ankle in a forged together with spouse Sydney and son Beau — to thunderous cheers when proven on the Jumbotron — the second-year linebacker from Florida State noticed it as a homage to his mentor.
Bethune completed with a team-high 10 tackles, together with one for loss. He misplaced two extra potential large performs on defensive penalties. And whereas a communication error contributed to an enormous play within the 30-19 loss at Tampa Bay, Bethune was up to the mark all night time by way of alignments and assignments.
Tatum Bethune (48) helps carry down Atlanta operating again Bijan Robinson Sunday night time at Levi’s Stadium. Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group
“I’ve been playing in big games since I was a little kid, man, and the only thing I thought about was just having Fred’s back and make sure I play to the standard,” Bethune stated. “I didn’t want to let my brothers down and be the reason a big play happened like last week against Tampa.”
Bethune visited the house of Malik Mustapha after observe to observe movie after which texted him about play calls and route ideas.
“Tatum is a real good linebacker,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “We were excited to get him out of college and last year when he made the team and we were excited about him this year. You never know when your (opportunity) is going to come and unfortunately it came with a bad injury to Fred, but he’s been ready for this moment for a while and no one doubted him at all.”
Afterward, Bethune took the rostrum in a crisp new No. 48 jersey gifted to him by fellow starter Dee Winters. Warner really wore No. 48 as a rookie earlier than switching to No. 54, and Bethune took it over upon arrival as a seventh-round draft pick of Florida State.
Bethune heeded the recommendation of linebackers coach Johnny Holland, who advised him to be himself.
“I just want to be Tatum Bethune, and Fred has done so much on this defense and made so many plays, I want to do the same thing,” he stated. “I don’t want to be Fred, but I want to make plays the same way he does, and it’s inspiring. I’m excited to learn from him for a year and a half and now it’s my chance to learn and be able to make those plays.”
Bethune really departed for one sequence for causes that went unexplained, with Curtis Robinson taking on, however was again after a number of performs because the defensive play-caller.
As a lot because the 49ers attempt to defend themselves from media hypothesis, Bethune couldn’t assist however hear that their protection was in a foul approach with Warner gone.
“I saw all of it. I saw all of it,” Bethune stated. “As a defense, we didn’t talk about it. I was emotional before the game. I even cried because I’m thanking God for this opportunity for me to get better and expand while I can before he gets back in.”
Nearly as good as Bethune was, it was, as Shanahan stated, a crew effort as a result of it takes that many defenders to maintain Robinson from doing what McCaffrey did to the Falcons.
“Bijan is a hell of a player, one of the best running backs in the NFL,” 49ers security Ji’Ayir Brown stated. “One guy just can’t be there to make the tackle. He does a great job making guys miss. That was our game plan, to get 11 guys to the ball. That’s our style of football. ”
Brown sounded mildly amused that the 49ers had been written off in some quarters defensively with out their two greatest stars.
“Guys like Fred and Bosa get the majority of the attention, but if you take a close look, we’ve got some great guys on this team,” Brown stated. “Those guys got to showcase it tonight.”
Each Brown and McCaffrey confused Bethune has taken benefit absolutely of Warner’s instance.
“He was behind one of the greatest linebackers that ever played football,” Brown stated. “He was ready when his opportunity presented itself.”
