SANTA CLARA — Right here is how the 49ers (1-1) graded in Sunday’s 27-7, home-opening win towards the Seattle Seahawks (1-1):
PASS OFFENSE: B+
No turnovers, one sack, the primary passing landing of the season, and, what else? Oh yeah, ONE HUGE QUARTERBACK CHANGE that might redirect this franchise for years to return. I can’t inform you who’ll quarterback this workforce in 2023, however I can say it’ll be Jimmy Garoppolo subsequent Sunday evening in Denver. Garoppolo delivered a win in typical vogue as soon as he relieved Trey Lance, whose first-quarter ankle fracture ends his season after simply 83 snaps. Jimmy G flung the ball across the yard from the leap and located George Kittle, er, Ross Dwelley for a 38-yard landing reception. (Count on a Kittle return from a groin damage in Week 3.) Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel every had 5 catches for a mixed 107 yards. The road blocked properly, although Garoppolo received drilled by Uchenna Nwosu on his first go. The one sack was when Garoppolo received stopped on a third-and-1 attempt. This wasn’t the Legion of Increase protection. Greater checks await.
RUN OFFENSE: B+
Sure, there was a disastrous run, that being Lance’s 2-yard, zone-read keeper that resulted in his season-ending ankle damage on the 49ers’ second collection. There have been 45 whole runs for 189 yards in a bunch effort. Jeff Wilson Jr. (18 carries, 84 yards) ran far more decisively than within the opener. Ty Davis-Value’s NFL debut was highlighted by a 20-yard run to the Seahawks’ 7-yard line on his second carry, however he completed with simply 33 yards on 14 carries. Lance, properly, he had 13 yards on three carries, a trio of energy runs through which he tempted destiny an excessive amount of in colliding with defenders (after 13 carries within the season opener). Don’t overlook about Kyle Juszczyk’s 1-yard landing dive that dislodged a nostril sort out’s helmet, and kudos to Chris Foerster’s run-blocking unit.
PASS DEFENSE: A
The 49ers got here away with two interceptions: Tasaun Gipson Jr. off Talanoa Hufanga’s tip, and Mooney Ward’s in the long run zone off a foolish choice go by operating again DeeJay Dallas. Fred Warner made one, additionally, however officers nullified it due to a pass-interference penalty on Emmanuel Moseley, which was the 49ers’ ONLY penalty of the sport — and an iffy one among that. Nick Bosa had 5 quarterback hits and two sacks; he opened the second half with a sack, and he received full credit score for an additional that originally received dominated as being shared by rookie Drake Jackson. Geno Smith accomplished 80-percent of his passes (24-of-30, 197 yards) however most have been innocent, and one of many Seahawks’ 10 penalties wiped away a 49-yard completion to DK Metcalf with the Seahawks down 13-0.
RUN DEFENSE: A
Seattle received outgained 189-36 in what everybody anticipated can be a run-oriented affair, not simply due to the offense’s comparable emphasis however due to the rain. These 36 speeding yards and 216 whole offensive yards are the second-fewest allowed by the 49ers all-time towards Seattle. The Seahawks averaged 2.6 yards per carry, after the Bears checked in at 2.7 ypc final sport towards the 49ers. “We didn’t run the ball value a darn at this time, and I’ll give them credit score. They’re a pleasant group,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll stated. “They held Chicago to 200 yards final week. They’re actual.” Kenneth Walker’s 8-yard effort on his first NFL carry was the longest run allowed. Tackles for loss got here from Kevin Givens (three), Bosa (two), Hufanga (one) and Dre Greenlaw (one, amongst his eight whole tackles). Fred Warner’s presence loomed bigger than his three tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
OK, so a blocked discipline purpose led to an 85-yard return for the Seahawks’ landing and ruined the shutout bid. However new coordinator Brian Schneider (previously of the Seahawks) has a unit that’s improved and subtly spectacular. Credit score Robbie Gould for making his gimmie discipline targets on the primary two collection amid 14 mph wind and, on the second kick, amid the distraction of Lance’s damage. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky, two days after touchdown a contract extension by means of 2026, pinned 2-of-3 punts contained in the 20, and he made a diving effort to attempt stopping the blocked-field-goal return. Particular-teams tackles: Jordan Mason, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas and Oren Burks. Ray-Ray McCloud returned three punts (fairly daring in these circumstances) for 23 yards, together with a 14-yarder.
COACHING: B
The 49ers couldn’t afford to lose the sport and begin 0-2. They might afford to lose Lance, I suppose, if Garoppolo stays wholesome, performs regular and retains successful. When reporters questioned Shanahan’s sanity for calling Lance’s fateful, zone-read keeper, Shanahan fired again: “Do you guys watch different groups on this league? Buffalo does it on a regular basis with their quarterback. It’s a reasonably regular play. It’s a part of soccer and it’s unlucky that he damage his ankle on it, but it surely’s a really regular play. You must watch another individuals.” Petty retort? Certain. I’m right here for it. He defended the decision. Was it a horrible name? It was an choice that Lance opted — as a dual-threat quarterback — to maintain himself. Shanahan, in fact, regretted the result. However, certainly, it’s a traditional name when you could have a dual-threat quarterback and an opportunity you are taking, although one we received’t see once more till 2023.