Monday Night Football Week 16: Lions vs 49ers

Not the showdown we anticipated back in September but an interesting matchup just the same. A patchwork quilt of an offensive line hand knitted throughout the week from remnants of F/A and practice squads. The conventional wisdom in a meaningless game such as this would be to protect your franchise quarterback by sitting him and seeing what you might have in Tanner Mordecai. Shanahan begs to differ and I can't say that I blame him. If Purdy can somehow survive while looking for ways to win, it should pay the kind of dividends that are priceless for a young quarterback going into his 3rd season as the starter. The 49ers are 11-1 in their last 12 games against the Lions and 3-0 under Kyle Shanahan.

49ers inactives: QB Brandon Allen (third QB) RB Israel Abanikanda DL Khalil Davis LB Dre Greenlaw OL Spencer Burford DE Robert Beal Jr. CB Charvarius Ward OT Colton McKivitz, who had been questionable with a knee injury, is active

Gameday Week 15: 49ers vs Dolphins

 

The postseason is a year away. Win or lose the only thing they're playing for today is pride. Another opportunity to advertise your worth for the rest of the NFL to see. Miami isn't sunk but their ship is taking on water and a loss today will certainly sink their last chance at a wild card spot. The Dolphins are averaging just over 33 points in their last 3 wins while only 14.5 in their last two losses. They struggle to win low scoring games and will need their offense to come out guns blazing. Tua does lead the NFL in completion percentage but he threw 3 Int's in last Sundays defeat to the Texans (RIP Tank Dell), while also suffering a hip injury. San Francisco has elevated Graham, Barrett, Vaughn and recently signed OG Austen Pleansants. If it were up to me I wouldn't play Greenlaw or Bosa who are both players that you don't need to see but I understand the mechanics behind why they'll probably both play. The 49ers are the more physical team and will probably win the game, but in the greater scheme of things the debate comes down to whether or not they should win the game. Afterall, it's all about draft position and strength of schedule looking ahead to next years hope of another Super Bowl appearance where San Francisco is the host stadium. Go Niners?  

49ers Inactives: QB Josh Dobbs (3rd QB) OT Trent Williams (ankle) RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) DE Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) CB Rock Ya-Sin TE Jake Tonges DT Khalil Davis

2025 NFL Draft Edition: Safety

2025 NFL Draft Safety Rankings:

Starks ———— Winston Jr. Nwankpa ———— Watts ———- Barron Rod ——— Keon Sabb Lathan Ransom Billy Bowman Jr. Jonas Sanker Malachi Moore (Has played 10 years of CFB)

Ji'Ayir Brown was millstone around Sorenson's neck this year, along with a linebacker who shall not be named. Signing Hufanga and drafting another safety could be the answer.

Game Night Week 14: Rams vs 49ers

 

The 49ers passing offense ranks 9th in the NFL and excels on longer throws beyond 10 air yards. In contrast, the Rams' pass defense ranks among the bottom 3 league-wide and is particularly vulnerable to deep passes. A quick look at the two charts highlights this disparity: the 49ers shine (green) where the Rams struggle (red).

Desperation gives some the ability to go all out and put all their effort towards a goal without reservation. Tonight we have two desperate teams with their hope for a ticket to the post season in the balance. The Rams come into this game healthy for the most part while the 49ers are beat up, and missing key contributors. One missing contributor is set to make his return in Dre Greenlaw, and I can't stress enough how big an emotional lift this could turn out to be. The Rams offense goes through Nacua now and not Cooper Kupp. Stopping him should be priortiy one and I expect Ward to cover him almost exclusively whenever possible. Lenoir will likely stay with Kupp. Green will be in the mix too and I like the way our Secondary matches up with the Rams receivers, even without Mustapha. I suspect Brown will be on a short leash with Gipson in the wings. The Rams have a nice RB that they'll need to contain in Kyren Williams. He's 2nd in rushing TD's against a Niners defense ranking 27th in TD's given up to rb's. 

Defensively the Rams aren't very good, ranking 29th in estimated points added and 29th against the pass. On a short week after giving up 42 points to the Bills, expect Brock Purdy to better his last outing against them, (292 yards/3 TD's) and yes I know rain is in the forecast. JJ has been the 49ers best WR and I suspect he'll have another big game. Deebo Samuel is anxious to show he's still a thorn in the Rams belly having missed the first game earlier this year. I'm expecting the 49ers to win this game by 10 or more points, 28-17. Go Niners!

Inactives: QB Josh Dobbs T Trent Williams (heel/ankle) S Malik Mustapha (chest/shoulder) RB Israel Abanikanda CB Rock Ya-Sin DT Khalil Davis

Gameday Week 13: Bears vs 49ers

 

The Bears defense is ranked #5 against the pass, #22 against the run. This should be a Guerendo workout. We saw him at practice off to the side by himself with paper in hand going through some mental reps of specific plays. Shanahan will need to establish his run game and stick to it to have any chance of winning. Without CMC the onus will be on George Kittle to defeat man coverage behind the Bears loaded box to stop the run. The good news defensively for the 49ers is the overall #1 pick Caleb Williams is struggling near the bottom in QBR at 27th while Purdy is 7th. Williams has been sacked 49 times! Even without Bosa there should be opportunities for this defense to make more noise in the backfield than they have the last 2 games. If the 49ers can keep Williams from making splash plays either with his legs or off schedule they'll have a chance to win a tight game. 23-20 San Francisco!

49ers inactives: QB Josh Dobbs (3rd QB) T Trent Williams (heel) G Aaron Banks (concussion) DE Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles CB Rock Ya-Sin RB Israel Abanikanda

Gameday Week 12: 49ers vs Bills

 

Huge challenge for the 49ers defense tonight. Can the offense help them out? 

49ers inactives: LT Trent Williams (ankle) DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) LG Aaron Banks (concussion) LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) DT Jordan Elliott (concussion) QB Brandon Allen