The San Francisco 49ers upended the visiting Oakland Raiders 34-3 on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. Tight end George Kittle was a major force in the contest, although his longest catch had a bit of a funny side.
George Kittle showed why he's one of the NFL's best tight ends this season amid the San Francisco 49ers' lopsided 34-3 win over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football in Week 9.
But on one play, it helped to be a bit lucky too.
With the Niners leading 17-3 and less than a minute into the third quarter, quarterback Nick Mullens (he had himself a night also) found Kittle for a 71-yard catch-and-run reception from San Francisco's own 23-yard line.
It's a pretty spectacular grab, putting it lightly:
"I closed my eyes," Kittle told reporters of the catch after the game. "One-hundred percent. I just kind of stuck an arm out there and [the ball] found my hand."
"As soon as I kept running," Kittle continued, "I was like, 'I cannot believe I am still upright right now.'"
Kittle made it all the way to the Raiders' 6-yard line before being tackled by cornerback Gareon Conley. Two plays later, Mullens found Kittle for a 5-yard touchdown, which put San Francisco up 24-3 en route to the one-sided victory.
While Mullens might grab all the headlines after the contest, Kittle was equally impressive with four receptions for 108 yards and the score.
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
49ers chemistry: George Kittle talks bond with Brock Purdy, 2025 outlook
By David Bonilla
Jun 30
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught up with NBC Sports Bay Area at Tight End University (TEU) last week, where he shared insights on his growing connection with quarterback Brock Purdy and expectations for the 2025 season.
While Purdy didn't attend TEU this...
George Kittle, Baker Mayfield agree 49ers' Fred Warner is a top trash talker
By David Bonilla
Jul 2
There's plenty of trash-talking on an NFL field, as players try to get into their opponents' heads to throw them off their game. In a sport decided by inches, any mental edge can prove crucial. When it comes to trash talk, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Tampa...
'I need my binky': 49ers' Brock Purdy reveals Trent Williams' impact—and his funny Toyota tale
By David Bonilla
Jul 8
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has grown accustomed to playing behind one of the most dominant offensive linemen in NFL history—left tackle Trent Williams. Since entering the league, Purdy has had the luxury of Williams protecting his blindside, and when the...
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: ESPN pinpoints his biggest challenge
By David Bonilla
Jul 7
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently unveiled his ranking of the top 10 NFL running backs based on input from league executives, coaches, and scouts. San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey landed at No. 5 on the list.
Some may question the ranking after McCaffrey's...
