Wow. This may have been the 49ers' most impressive performance of the season. And it was one of the more dominant wins under the current regime.
The 49ers pummeled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and came away with a 35-7 win. They dominated every aspect of the game. Had they not let up some in the second half, this likely would have been even more lopsided.
Here are my observations from the game:
- Why was Tevin Coleman active over Ty Davis-Price? I saw one beat writer say it was because of special teams so that Jordan Mason could focus more on offense. Maybe so, but I didn't see Coleman on special teams. That doesn't mean he wasn't. I just didn't see him. I did, however, see Mason on special teams.
- The 49ers needed an opening touchdown drive like the one they had in this game. It was a great tone-setter and confidence-builder.
- Name two things that go hand-in-hand more than the San Francisco 49ers and injuries. I'll wait.
- It feels like there's a blown coverage in the secondary every game. The one in this game one didn't count, because of a Tampa penalty, but that's a concern.
- Brock Purdy definitely has a running element that Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't have.
- Does Drake Jackson bat down a pass every game? Seems like it.
- Arik Armstead is a difference-maker. It was noticeable when he was out. It's even more noticeable now that he's back.
- Christian McCaffrey can do it all. How many running backs can line up wide and catch a deep ball for a touchdown?
- And he's doing this with Roger Craig in the house. Fitting.
- And that touchdown pass from Purdy to McCaffrey was beautiful. His deep touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk later in the game was nice, too.
- Trey Lance was carted off. Garoppolo was carted off. If Deebo Samuel, who was also carted off, can't return for the postseason, I'm not sure how the 49ers will overcome that. And yet, they continue to overcome these devastating injuries.
- By the way, don't blame Kyle Shanahan for Samuel's injury. I had someone reach out to me and say there's no problem with running Deebo, the problem is running him up the middle like they did Lance. What? That is a terrible take. Were you complaining last season when Samuel was running up the middle and carrying the team on his back in the playoffs? How about when he referred to himself as a "wide-back?" Will you complain if McCaffrey gets hurt running it up the middle?
- Ok, I'm slowly starting to believe Brock Purdy may be more than a one-hit-wonder. We're far from being able to proclaim him the answer at QB, but I like what I see so far. Wouldn't it be ironic if the 49ers traded all those picks for Lance, spent all that money on Garoppolo, and then Purdy became the one to lead the team to a Super Bowl championship?
- Shanahan appears to be calling plays more confidently with Purdy than with Garoppolo or Lance. Or is it just me?
- The 49ers are bullies—on both sides of the ball.
- The 49ers' defense punishes offenses.
- Jordan Mason runs like he's angry at the grass.
Tackling Jordan Mason feels like a punishment
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) December 11, 2022
- Dre Greenlaw is a star. Is he better than Fred Warner now? I love how Greenlaw plays. If Mason runs like he's angry at the grass, Greenlaw plays like he's angry at the air.
49ers up 28 in the 4th quarter and Dre Greenlaw is running around out there looking to take heads off on every single play lmao
That's the kind of player every defensive coordinator in the league wishes they had on their team
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) December 12, 2022
- The last time the 49ers beat Tom Brady in the rain, and then traveled to Seattle to play on a Thursday night, it didn't go well for the 49ers (2012). They did, however, end up in the Super Bowl that year. That year, the 49ers played in New England, on a Sunday night, and then had to travel home before going to Seattle.
- I'm starting to think this team might be one of those special teams that can win it all.
The 49ers played two 1st place teams back to back and out scored them 68-24
With a QB who started the season on the practice squad taking 80% of the snaps in those two games
This 49ers team is nothing short of spectacular
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) December 12, 2022
The 49ers have a chance to clinch the NFC West on Thursday night in Seattle. Levin Black, of Niners Nation, mentioned that the Seahawks defense was on the field for 40 minutes in their Sunday loss to Carolina. He pointed out that, on a short week, that defense will be tired. Advantage 49ers.
- Marc Adams
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Written by:Speaker. Writer. Covering the San Francisco 49ers. Host of the 49ers Camelot show.
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