The 49ers haven't always been able to run the football this season the way they grew accustomed to in 2019, but their 20-12 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday provided a glimpse of what they hope to achieve with their running game every week.
The running attack was clicking for the 49ers Saturday, with running back Jeff Wilson being the beneficiary. Wilson ran for a career-high 183 yards on 22 carries in the win, besting his previous mark of 112 yards on 17 carries that he set in a 33-6 win over the New England Patriots on October 25.
After the game, Wilson made it a point to give credit to the men in front of him for paving the way towards his career day.
"Our O-line and our receivers, those guys did tremendous today," Wilson told reporters after the game. "I haven't really gotten to see it because I haven't watched tape yet obviously, but I can feel it. I know those guys just blocked their tail off for me today, and I can feel it. Now I'm just ready to watch it."
One of those players helping to get the running game going was tight end George Kittle, who was playing in his first game since returning from the foot injury that put him on injured reserve. Kittle takes particular pride in the running game when it performs well, so it's wasn't surprising to hear him happy with the overall performance on Saturday (30 carries, 227 yards, 7.6 average).
"That's our standard," Kittle said after the game. "That's what we want to run the ball like every single week. I know it's been frustrating for guys that we haven't run the ball well. I think guys made plays today."
Wilson's performance helped him continue to prove he deserves to be a significant part of the future for the 49ers. Chances are the 49ers will keep him around as a restricted free agent this offseason and that he'll get a pay raise next season as a result, which is part of what motivates him to put on the types of performances he showed Saturday.
"I just think about my son every day," Wilson said. "I think about my little boy. I'm just trying to do what I can. That way he gets to live a life that I didn't get to live. I want him to live better than I did. So just thinking about him, waking up with him on my mind, then my teammates, getting into the locker room and seeing those guys, it all just gets me going."