Everyone ok? I'm just checking to make sure.
The San Francisco 49ers won another game in the final couple of minutes, testing the blood pressure of fans everywhere. This time the win came against the Philadelphia Eagles, after a tough, close, physical game. Bay Area cardiologists have been busy these first couple of weeks since the 2021 NFL season began. The final score was 17-11, but it was much closer than that, and early on, it didn't look good for the 49ers.
Here are my nerve-wracking post-game observations from the 49ers week two win:
- Despite looking putrid, at times, the 49ers offense still performed well. Jimmy Garoppolo was bad, good, bad and good. That throw to Deebo Samuel to set up the first touchdown was beautiful.
- The 49ers had two 90-plus yard touchdown drives for the first time as a team since 1992, per Elias.
The #49ers' two touchdowns drives covered 97 and 92 yards. According to @EliasSports, it was the first time the Niners had two touchdown drives that began inside their own 10 yard line since Dec. 6, 1992 against the Dolphins.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 19, 2021
- The 49ers 2-0 start on the road has promising historical significance. Consider this tweet from ESPN's Nick Wagoner:
Want a good omen?
This is 5th time in franchise history that #49ers have started 2-0 with both wins coming on the road. Last time was 2019.
Niners have made the Super Bowl each of the previous three times they've done it.
Only time they didn't was 1974 (6-8, missed playoffs)
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 19, 2021
- The 49ers made little attempt to get the ball down the field. That seems to have been the game plan, based on the Eagles strong pass rush.
- Coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up a handful of screen passes. Later in the game, those were effective against the Eagles pass rush.
- I'd love to ask Shanahan what that third and long run with Samuel was about? That was a frustrating call. Maybe he was using it to set up something, but it seemed like a bad call at the time.
- The 49ers still need to clean up their run defense.
- That said, the 49ers defense is really good. The goal-line stand changed the momentum of the game. That was huge.
- A healthy Javon Kinlaw makes this defense better.
- Who will play running back next Sunday night? One of the deepest position groups has now become, perhaps, the thinnest.
- Deommodore Lenoir makes some rookie mistakes, but he also looks like a veteran, at times. He's a keeper.
- Josh Norman played better than I expected him to, especially after those two pass interference penalties early in the game.
- The special teams unit came up big in this win. A blocked field goal attempt, a clutch kick from Robbie Gould, and some great punting from Mitch Wishnowsky.
- Jauan Jennings made his first NFL catch and scored his first NFL touchdown on the same play. He may become who we all hoped Jalen Hurd would be.
- Nick Bosa, who had two sacks and one forced fumble, is on pace to have 25 sacks this season. He's good.
- This win is more impressive than the win at Detroit. The Eagles are much better than people give them credit, and their front four is great. Their offensive line is also really good.
Next up: A home game next Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. Not sure my heart can take another nail-biter. We'll see.