By Scooter_McG
The 49ers eked out a hard fought 13-0 victory on Sunday against a courageous New Orleans Saints outfit that brought the fight to this game. The win takes the 49ers to 7W-4L, and with the Seahawks losing gives them outright lead of the division.
It wasn't the prettiest football the 49ers have played this season, nor the most convincing. But it was a well earned victory nonetheless as the defense continually came up with important plays at crucial times to prevent the Saints from scoring while the offense did enough through the first 2.5 quarters against a Saints defense that was flying around the field and consistently winning the matchup up front.
Fred Warner in particular was monumental in this one. He forced the early fumble that gave the 49ers good field position to open the scoring. And he was consistently around the ball and making life difficult for ball carriers and receivers alike throughout the game. Hufanga was also instrumental in the win, making a few key hits to stop plays including the hit in the photo above that forced the second Kamara fumble only a yard out from the 49ers goal line.
The pass coverage was also quite good throughout the game with the two Ward's in particular playing well, while the DL did an excellent job limiting the running lanes.
On offense, the 49ers struggled throughout the contest to get drives going, particularly in the second half. The Saints played a swarming style of defense that really bottled up the running game and had Jimmy Garoppolo under almost constant duress. There is no doubt that the 49ers got by with no small amount of luck on offense during this game, including a TD grab by Jennings off a tipped pass as well as an INT by Jimmy that called back on an illegal contact penalty.
The OL, which has been a pleasant surprise this season, looked more like the outfit many expected before the season began. Jimmy G took far too many hits in this one while the RBs struggled to find any space all game. The struggles in protection also led to what looked like a knee injury to Jimmy G, though thankfully he was able to play through it.
There is no doubt the 49ers will need to play better on offense moving forward if they want to beat the better teams. But the Saints defense is pretty much the worst type of matchup for the 49ers - an excellent pass rush and coverage allows them to play the run aggressively without giving up a lot of easy outlets in the pass game. I expect the 49ers offense will look a lot better most weeks.
A concern coming out of the game is the knee injury picked up by Eli Mitchell. With Jeff Wilson now a Dolphin, the injury to Mitchell will put pressure on McCaffrey and the 49ers young RBs to carry the load for a little while. It is unclear at this stage how severe the injury is and how much time he may miss, but hopefully it is just a short term absence.
Worst officiated game in recent memory.
ReplyDeleteJordan Mason is why Wilson was expendable. He passes the eye test.
George comment:
DeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong but Mason's style of running is one that looks for lanes as opposed to contact. In a nutshell, he doesn't look to "bang heads," and I think that will help limit his injuries. Much as I love Mitchell, I think his style is dooming his career. And the same might be true for TDP. What do you think?
Wrt Mitchell, I think it's just rotten luck. He is a bit undersized as an inside runner, and he fights for yards after contact, but I don't think he looks to "bang heads" per se. As for TDP, he's a bigger back whose body might be better constructed for that style.
DeleteRibico here:
ReplyDeleteGood summation Scooter. Though I take exception to your characterization of “not convincing”. I think it was one of the more convincing wins of the season. Following a short holiday week (there’s this middle of the week thing in the USA called Thanksgiving ), following international travel that got them home nearly mid-week limiting full speed practice. Against a team with a good underrated defense getting their playmakers back, this had all the hallmarks of a letdown L. I think the early season Niners would have lost this game. This win convinced me the team has moved forward, beyond that play of losing to lesser opponents. It may have be one of the more important victories of the season.
I said it wasn't their most convincing win of the season. They rode their luck quite a bit at times.
DeleteIf you look through the 49ers wins this season, which ones would you say were less convincing wins? I'm thinking the Chargers game, but that's about it. By and large when the 49ers have won this season they've dominated the game. Wasn't the case in this one.
Not all convincing wins involve steamrolls imo. This game was setup to be a loss. They didn’t succumb to that. Like I said, it has me *convinced* playing down to a lesser team resulting in a L is a thing of the early season past.
DeleteFirst game of the season the 49ers were able to finish with positive EPA in all 3 phases:
DeleteOffense: +2.05
Defense: +8.15
Special teams: +2.22
The #49ers have signed CB Janoris Jenkins to the team’s practice squad.
ReplyDeleteThat's a solid signing.
DeleteMitchell out six to eight weeks. Probably bring up Coleman.
ReplyDeleteTime to open a jar of Mason on their asses, Under!
DeleteI told you the plan all along was for Armstead to be ready by Dec. 4th!
I was also hoping he would get a few plays during the Saints game. Can't see KS using a rookie RB very much. Mason looked good though.
DeleteI think Mason runs for a 100 yards on the Dolphins defense
DeleteAES:
DeleteUC,
Mitchell has been injured more that I like to see, but he is a difference maker when he does play. I'm hoping that he comes back next season and has an injury free year. But for now, I'd sure would like to him back for our playoff run.
Mitchell and Kinlaw are the two final IR cards Shanny has left in his pocket.
DeleteAES:
DeleteRazor,
Big boost to get them ready for the playoffs.
The 9er offense survived a game they played flat, after the game in
ReplyDeleteMexico, thanksgiving and with little practice time to prepare for a N.O. that came prepared to play. The 9er O-line got exposed by a N.O. D that is better than their record suggests.
Fortunately, the 9er D played like they're SB contender and a win is a
win!
Lets thank the Miami players for providing the 9ers with some extra MOTIVATION for the coming game this Sun.....
* Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson roast Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers before Week 13 game
https://sports.yahoo.com/raheem-mostert-jeff-wilson-roast-214034243.html
I've had this game circled on the calendar since the beginning of the season. Bulletin board material is greatly appreciated from the Dolphins, and I expect the 49ers to give them an old fashioned beat down.
DeleteThird downs will be the upmost important part of the game for the offense moving the chains and for the defense getting off the field.
ReplyDelete* With Miami LT Armstead out and RT, Austin Jackson, questionable
ReplyDeleteI look for Ebukam and Bosa to put constant pressure on QB Tua Tagovailoa, with Bosa getting 2-3 sacks and Ebukam 1 maybe 2?
* To add to Miami QB Tagovailoa problems, his favorite target, WR Tyreek is questionable, as is RB Raheem Mostert.
After bad mouthing the 9ers, KS and JG, RB Jeff Wilson will have
have to carry the load for the fins....AGAINST THE BEST RUN D IN
THE NFL....Good luck and welcome back to Levi's Mr Wilson!
Gonna be an old fashioned beat down.
DeleteRegarding Mason, here's a link to a youtube video of his five runs. Imo it's a real treat at .25 speed. His adjustments are "wow."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFNBPcAZ3ho&t=1s
Did Not Participate In Practice
ReplyDeleteOL Spencer Burford (ankle), RB Christian McCaffrey (knee), RB Elijah Mitchell (knee), DL Charles Omenihu (knee)
Limited Participation in Practice
DL Arik Armstead (foot, ankle), WR Deebo Samuel (quadricep)
Full Participation in Practice
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (knee)
I bet Bosa is jacked up getting Armstead back.
DeleteGoing to need Armstead, hope he is up to the task.
DeleteRazor
DeleteIMO, both Givens and Ridgeway have been playing well, so I don't expect Armstead to get that much playing time against Miami. I expect Ryans will give him enough reps to keep the D line fresh and used to playing together again?
Do you, or anyone, know when Kinlaw is scheduled to be
removed from IR? I believe he's been on IR for 6 weeks,
but is eligible to return to active status after 4 week?
Bosa defensive player of the month.
ReplyDelete"Bosa totaled 10 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks in November. He was part of a 49ers defense that held their opponent to 16 or fewer points in each of their three games during the month. Bosa is one of two NFC players to record a sack in each game from Weeks 10-12.
This is the second Defensive Player of the Month award for Bosa. He earned the award rookie in October of 2019. Bosa becomes the second 49ers player ever to earn multiple Defensive Player of the Month honors, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Haley."
Jeff Deeney
ReplyDelete@PFF_Jeff
·
4h
PFF's highest-graded player in the NFL (min 100 snaps) is once again Trent Williams (93.2). #49ers
I know that it likely won't happen, but those reporters who ran with the Trent Williams "tipping" story would do much to gain back some journalistic credibility with an apology.
DeleteAbove comment from AES
DeleteCohn, so no that's not gonna happen, AES.
DeleteGood chance for rain on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteCold and rainy? Could play to the 49ers advantage.
DeleteUpper 50's, 89 percent chance of rain showers at kickoff with a 10 mph wind.
DeleteGot almost an inch of rain in South Bay today.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/LombardiHimself/status/1598435407284555776
CMac is practicing. Good that they are getting some practice in the wet field since another storm moving in on Saturday morning and 50% chance of rain throughout weekend.
Deebo absent, though. Not a good sign.
DeleteGeorge comment:
ReplyDeleteRe Burford:
"Of the rookies who have played at least 50 percent of snaps on the offensive line this season, Burford is the only one who has yet to allow a sack this season. Taking it a step further, Burford’s 11 pressures allowed is the fewest among rookie offensive linemen, with the next closest being Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum who has allowed 17."
https://www.ninersnation.com/2022/12/1/23488406/49ers-spencer-burford-sack
George, he's our RT next year if I'm not mistaken.
DeleteAES
DeleteGeorge, thank you for that stat.
George comment:
ReplyDeleteRazor, moving Burford to RT seems like a logical move. If they do that, who's RG? Moore? Zakelj?
Poe, Zakelj will compete for center.
DeleteRazor / Scooter
DeleteIf the 9ers do move Burford to RT, is Brunskill moved back to RG? If not Brunskill, (2023 FA), who will it be?
I don't see either McKivitz (2023 FA), or Moore as a NFL starting RG, so do the 9ers use a 3rd round pick to draft someone?
NOTE: C J. Brendel is also a 2023 FA.
I think Poe could win RG
DeleteGeorge comment:
ReplyDeleteDavid Lombardi
@LombardiHimself
12h
This is why both 49ers, Dolphins target middle of the field more often than other teams. It's not because Garoppolo or Tua don't have arm strength to deliver outside numbers.
In 49ers' case, it's because offense and weapons are tailored for YAC. Why add the sideline to tackle?
Quote Tweet
Next Gen Stats
@NextGenStats
·
19h
The intermediate middle third has been the most valuable area to target in the passing game...
Since 2016, passes thrown between 10 & 19 air yards targeting a receiver in the middle third generate the most EPA per play (+0.45) of any region on the field.
George, did you read the article on NFL.com regarding 49ers vs Dolphins?
Deletehttps://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-offense-vs-49ers-defense-if-san-francisco-can-t-stop-mike-mcdaniel-s-at
Gives a good overview of the matchup.
I watched a few Dolphins games past few days, and they definitely work the middle of the field. Disrupting the receiver's routes would go a long way towards negating that threat while allowing the pass rush to further disrupt the play.
DeleteGeorge comment:
ReplyDeleteScooter, thanks for the article. I hadn't read it. This game will say a lot about both teams and also about both head coaches. Will one outcoach the other? If so, I hope it's not Mike outcoaching Kyle.