SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are the envy of the NFL for the variety of playmakers they placed on the sphere on offense.
In a 13-0 win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, Jauan Jennings eclipsed the large names when it mattered most. The 49ers had been so good defensively that a win appeared virtually assured, however on offense, it was a wrestle all day with Jennings making the distinction.
Properly down the pecking order of stars that embrace Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings got here in with 18 receptions for 220 yards and didn’t have a landing in 9 video games.
But Jennings virtually personally furnished the 49ers’ lone landing drive within the second quarter, ending off a 57-yard, nine-play march earlier than the half with a 5-yard landing reception of a move from Jimmy Garoppolo that deflected off the arms of Saints security Tyrann Mathieu.
“The entire complete drive I used to be simply locked in, specializing in making performs,” Jennings mentioned. “When the chance comes my approach, I’m going to make it.”
Jennings, who's keen on the nickname “third-and-Jauan” for his penchant for changing first downs, caught a 13-yard dart from Garoppolo on third-and-10 after which one other 12 yards on the subsequent play obtained the ball to the New Orleans 32-yard line.
The 49ers then had a 32-yard landing bolt by Elijah Mitchell nullified by a maintain on Kittle, however Jennings wasn’t completed. On a third-and-1 move from Garoppolo, Jennings caught veteran New Orleans defensive again Chris Harris flat-footed and beat him for a 12-yard achieve alongside the suitable sideline.
Harris was so exasperated he hit Jennings late and was referred to as for pointless roughness, shifting the ball to the 5-yard line.
“I believe he was a bit of irritated from the start of that play, truly,” Jennings mentioned. “We ain’t going to speak about it although. He is aware of it. I’m a bodily man, a bodily receiver and I’m going to impose my will on a defensive again and it obtained to him on that specific play.”
Garoppolo, who was hit early and sometimes towards a tricky Saints protection, obtained sufficient of a glance to get an concept of what Harris was so labored up about.
“I believe Jauan made him fall on that route,” Garoppolo mentioned. “I noticed the discharge on that route and it was filthy, and that’s a rattling good nickel again. For Jauan to try this to him, that was a hell of a route.”
That wasn’t the top, after all: Jennings capped it by getting free ultimately zone on first and aim from the 5 and catching a move that first went off the arms of Mathieu.
“My project was to run a easy nook route,” Jennings mentioned. “I used to be working to the pylon, I noticed the protection go away from me so I knew Jimmy was going to return to me. Once I appeared again, the ball was within the air and I used to be excited considering it was going to drop in. It obtained tipped and ended up a landing.”
When the 49ers closed out the sport by working the final 6:18 off the clock, it was Jennings who helped maintain the drive with a 6-yard reception from Garoppolo on — you guessed it — third-and-5.
#49ers WR Jauan Jennings with the landing to finish the primary half 🔥😤 pic.twitter.com/r2L8dekWOl
— ninerspride (@ninerspride_) November 27, 2022
Jennings, 6-foot-3 and 212 kilos, completed with six catches for 49 yards and the landing. He was focused seven instances, one lower than Brandon Aiyuk and the identical as Deebo Samuel.
“Jauan was clutch for us and he stored us out on the sphere and obtained us these factors,” coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned.
Garoppolo is aware of when opponents play man-to-man protection, Jennings has the peak and physique kind to make a play.
“It’s onerous to play man towards Jauan,” Garoppolo mentioned. “He’s large, he’s fast. He’s bodily and when he will get the ball in his arms, he’s onerous to convey down. I’m no attempting to pump him up an excessive amount of however he does numerous good issues, man. He separates on the prime of the route and as a quarterback it’s straightforward to learn him and his physique language.”
Jennings was coming off a recreation in Mexico Metropolis the place there wasn’t a single move thrown his approach for the primary time this season. Undaunted by outdoors chatter the 49ers could have an curiosity in free agent Odell Beckham Jr., Jennings brings an angular physicality that isn’t matched by anybody within the receiving corps and has Garoppolo’s seal of approval.
“I see it every single day in observe,” Garoppolo mentioned. “I’ve seen it for a number of years now. When you might have a man like that who does it every single day in observe, desires the ball, you possibly can see the competitiveness. Each play Jauan is busting his ass. As a quarterback you're keen on having a man like that. The belief and reliability issue goes a great distance for me.”