SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – OCT. 24: Indianapolis Colts’ Al-Quadin Muhammad (97) dives to sort out San Francisco 49ers beginning quarter Jimmy Garoppolo (10) within the third quarter of their NFL sport at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. The Indianapolis Colts defeat the San Francisco 49ers 30-18. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo appeared crestfallen, irritated, and defeated. He stood alone on the 49ers’ helmet brand at midfield, having simply sailed a second interception into the Indianapolis Colts’ grasp.
Garoppolo gazed upward to the evening sky, which not merely rained on him however poured.
This was the 49ers’ 2021 all-time low.
An eventual berth on this Sunday’s NFC Championship Recreation was unimaginable again then, amid that Oct. 24 atmospheric river of water and defeat.
Their dropping streak was at 4, draining all life from their 2-0 begin, from wins in Detroit and Philadelphia that enveloped a team-bonding layover within the West Virginia mountains.
Some can say the 49ers truly bottomed out two weeks later, with one other house loss, to the Arizona Cardinals’ backup-laden lineup. Nah, that defeat merely broke up their scar tissue. Per week earlier, they went to Garoppolo’s hometown for what might need been his closing begin, rebounded from the Indy sport, and regained some swagger with a win at Chicago.
So then got here Arizona’s humbling deed, and, with a 3-5 report, the 49ers hosted the Rams. They have been the right opponent, one they’d owned since 2019 and one which got here in cocky after buying and selling for stars Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller.
The 49ers’ confidence and I’ve-got-your-back mantra resurfaced on the “Monday Night time Soccer” stage, the place they not solely gained at Levi’s Stadium for the primary time in 393 days, their 31-10 rout over the Rams got here full with an eye-opening prop. A diamond-and-gold “play-maker” chain was draped over budding star Deebo Samuel’s neck on the sideline after a landing.
That necklace would mysteriously vanish from sight afterward. The 49ers wouldn't. They've since gained 9 of 11 video games.
Playoff upsets at dysfunctional Dallas and snow-globed Inexperienced Bay vaulted the 49ers into the NFC Ultimate and again to Los Angeles, the place a Jan. 9 time beyond regulation win secured their wild-card entry as a red-hot sixth seed.
Another win and the 49ers get another sport at SoFi Stadium — within the Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 13, for another shot at a Lombardi Trophy, towards both the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (their trophy thieves two years in the past) or the upstart Cincinnati Bengals (the franchise the 49ers’ 1981 and ‘88 groups beat of their dynasty’s heyday).
Again when the 49ers misplaced to the Colts, coach Kyle Shanahan balked at benching Garoppolo, saying one sport.
Right here is how the 49ers’ renaissance ensued, and since it took a team-wide effort, these are the catalysts at 10 spots:
1. Twin-threat Deebo
The 49ers’ provide chain points at working backs had them determined. After accidents impacted their prime 5 working backs, Deebo Samuel rushed to the rescue. Since that Nov. 15 Rams sport, he’s run 73 instances for 454 yards (6.2-yard common) and eight touchdowns. He’s been a bodily, edge-turning complement to oft-injured rookie Elijah Mitchell.
2. Armstead shifts
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, after establishing himself as an amazing run stuffer on the sting, moved inside as soon as Javon Kinlaw underwent season-ending knee surgical procedure. Armstead and D.J. Jones have grow to be a dominant pressure at defensive sort out, and Armstead’s fourth-quarter sacks Sunday of Aaron Rodgers have been his greatest as a 49er. Ruling on the skin is the ever-consistent Nick Bosa (18 sacks), whereas career-best years all of the sudden have come from Arden Key, Samson Ebukam, Jordan Willis and Charles Omenihu.
3. No QB shuffle
It took three video games earlier than the 49ers deserted the notion of platooning Garoppolo with rookie Trey Lance, at the very least for specialised short-yardage and red-zone performs. Lance, after seven snaps in Weeks 1 and three, has been in any other case restricted to 2 1/2 video games, and people got here with Garoppolo sidelined by calf (Week 5, at Arizona) and thumb (Week 17, Houston) accidents. Garoppolo rewarded Shanahan’s loyalty in him by battling via thumb and shoulder accidents to win three straight elimination video games, the place management within the clutch offset his stats (50-of-76, 619 yards, one landing, 4 interceptions).
4. Teaching development
Shanahan didn’t throw within the towel and sacrifice this season to develop rookies, together with their prime three picks of Lance (128 of 1,091 snaps), guard Aaron Banks (5 snaps) and working again Trey Sermon (107 snaps). Shanahan, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and different assistants are maximizing their out there expertise. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, in the meantime, has emerged from Robert Saleh’s shadow and put forth artistic, attacking and misleading schemes.
5. Oh hello there, George
Tight finish George Kittle was the unquestioned offensive catalyst earlier than Samuel’s All-Professional rise, and when Kittle went on injured reserve the day earlier than Lance’s beginning debut in Arizona, that solid a pall over the offense. Kittle, who injured his calf/Achilles within the season opener, sat out three video games. He’s been invaluable as a blocker for the working sport’s revival, and his receiving capability stays a trusted asset, even when he’s been comparatively quiet since opening December with 332 yards and three touchdowns over two video games towards Seattle and Cincinnati.
6. Receivers’ wake-up name
What awoke Brandon Aiyuk from his sophomore stoop? He credited chats with Shanahan across the bye week, emphasizing the necessity for urgency, consideration to element and physicality. Aiyuk had 96 yards via six video games and has burst for 726 within the 13 video games since (however no yards Saturday evening). Jauan Jennings’ second-half emergence additionally bolstered the offense, from each his third-down receptions and his bodily presence as a blocker and agitator.
7. Linebacker shuffle
Fred Warner acknowledged his $95 million contract extension weighed on him in early-season struggles. Nevertheless it wasn’t only a quest for perfection and overthinking performs. He misplaced wingman Dre Greenlaw after a pick-six within the season opener. Azeez Al-Shaair ultimately morphed right into a bona fide starter (102 tackles). Marcell Harris and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles additionally stepped up in key moments. Now Warner, Greenlaw and Al-Shaair have reincarnated the 2019 Scorching Boyzz crew.
8. Offensive line continuity
Left sort out Trent Williams earned long-overdue All-Professional honors, and he did so anchoring an offensive line that developed chemistry and continuity. The largest change got here at proper sort out, as soon as Mike McGlinchey exited after eight video games with a quadriceps tear. Rookie Jaylon Moore made the following two begins earlier than Tom Compton assumed that spot, proved himself as a top-notch run blocker and improved in go safety (which wasn’t nice final sport).
9. Defensive again penalties
The 49ers’ defenders have been flagged for 23 pass-interference penalties, their most in at the very least 20 years. By no means was this extra embarrassing than the 5 such infractions they drew in that rain-soaked catastrophe towards the Colts. That development slowed, particularly as soon as they benched Josh Norman, who did reach late reduction at Inexperienced Bay. To date, they’ve drawn no pass-interference calls within the postseason. Emmanuel Moseley and Ok’Waun Williams are top-notch cornerbacks. Rookie Ambry Thomas persistently improved in six begins earlier than lacking final sport with a bruised knee.
10. Good on Gould
Robbie Gould simply kicked what may very well be the signature play of his profession, making a 45-yard subject purpose via the snow at Lambeau Discipline to seal an inconceivable comeback. Suppose again to Oct. 3: Gould strained his groin in warmups towards Seattle, an instance of how unhealthy issues have been going amid the 49ers’ dropping streak. He acquired wholesome and sizzling. Since lacking a subject purpose on the finish of regulation in Week 14 of an time beyond regulation win at Cincinnati, Gould has made each kick (12 subject objectives, 15 point-after tries), along with punting effectively in reduction of the concussed Mitch Wishnowsky within the season finale. Saturday’s game-winner capped particular groups’ heroics that additionally featured Jordan Willis’ blocked punt that Talanoa Hufanga recovered for a tying landing, and Jimmie Ward’s field-goal block earlier than halftime.