SANTA CLARA — The 49ers simply have the Rams’ quantity.
And this 49ers’ protection might need a quantity, too: Primary. As in the most effective protection within the NFL.
The Niners’ protection dominated the high-flying Rams’ offense Monday to maneuver to 2-2 on the season — proper within the thick of it within the up-for-grabs NFC.
Right here have been the studs and duds of the Niners’ 24-9 win:
STUDS
Deebo Samuel
» The 49ers’ offense is fairly easy today: Get the ball to Deebo.
The receiver’s 57-yard landing confirmed why.
Deebo simply ran by all the protection! @19problemz
📺: #LARvsSF on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/keYveuhX3Ppic.twitter.com/qDMjV1kbO5— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2022
Nick Bosa
» Rams quarterback Matt Stafford was below unbelievable duress all night time and Bosa was typically the supply of that strain. The defensive finish had a monster first half and completed the sport with three sacks and 5 hurries.
DeMeco Ryans
» He known as a near-perfect sport, calling extra blitzes than he had within the first three video games of the season — maybe mixed — and holding Stafford off steadiness. The Niners had seven sacks within the sport and have been near a half-dozen extra. The end result: The Rams’ quarterback solely had time to search out Cooper Kupp on the sector, and that wasn’t sufficient to be a viable NFL offense. LA was good for a paltry 3.5 yards per play Monday.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
» He does have burst. The 49ers’ high operating again took a straight pitch 32 yards within the first quarter, going untouched into the top zone. It was the top of a 74-yard day that was stable and wholly essential for this Niners’ offense.
» Some guys are quick. Some guys are robust. Some guys haven't any discernible athletic benefits however make performs everywhere in the area.
Hufanga is a kind of latter guys.
Talanoa Hufanga jumped the route and took it to the home! 👀 @TalanoaHufanga | #FTTB
📺: #LARvsSF on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/keYveuhX3Ppic.twitter.com/D5Vul0QpWg— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2022
Nobody sees the sector just like the 49ers’ robust security, who's being moved throughout to make performs. His pick-six to win the sport was a testomony to that soccer IQ. He acknowledged the play and made the play.
Being quick and powerful is nice, however you may’t educate what Hufanga has, and you'll’t substitute it on this Niners’ protection.
DUDS
Spencer Burford and Aaron Banks
» It’s not straightforward blocking Aaron Donald, however the 49ers’ guards have been sub-par and, for stretches, benched on Monday. When Burford failed to dam Donald in any respect in the course of the first collection of the sport, you knew it might be an extended day on the offensive inside.
Ray-Ray McCloud
» The second fumble in as many weeks for the 49ers’ punt returner. The Niners are enjoying with tight margins today. They will’t afford a 3rd.
Kyle Shanahan
» There have been some cool performs to get the ball to Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk, however his resolution to kick a area purpose, initially from 5 toes away from the top zone, to increase the rating to 17-9, was baffling in the mean time and appeared poised to backfire till Hufanga sealed the sport together with his pick-six interception.
Oh, and earlier than the Niners kicked that area purpose, they intentionally took a delay of sport penalty.
Right here’s a loopy thought: In case your workforce is just too near the top zone for the field-goal kicker to make his kick, you’re shut sufficient to go for it on fourth down.
Shanahan’s cowardice in fourth-down and late-game conditions will harm the Niners in an enormous second this season — simply because it has in seasons previous. Save this column.
Jimmy Garoppolo
» Anybody who mentioned Garoppolo had a terrific sport didn’t watch it. Practically three-quarters of Garoppolo’s passing yards got here after the catch, and he missed a number of wide-open landing throws.
Now, he was considerably higher than the quarterback we noticed in Denver final Sunday — and he was ok to win — however there’s nonetheless an extended option to go for the veteran quarterback if the 49ers are to be a Tremendous Bowl contender.
This protection deserves backing. Samuel, Wilson, and the good blocking from George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Juszczyk supplied it Monday. Garoppolo — the one talent place participant to the touch the ball each play — didn’t.
That may’t be the formulation transferring ahead this season. Not if the Niners have hopes of profitable something important.
