The San Francisco 49ers improved their record to 10-4 after a 21-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, clinching the NFC West title. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades from the game. Which Niners played well, and who has more work to do?
Below are Pro Football Focus' five highest-graded 49ers players on offense against the Seahawks.
- George Kittle, TE, 91.9, 54 snaps
- Jordan Mason, RB, 91.4, 7 snaps
- Tyler Kroft, TE, 80.9, 14 snaps
- Trent Williams, LT, 80.5, 64 snaps
- Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR, 79.8, 27 snaps
Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Nick Bosa, DE, 90.8, 51 snaps
- Kerry Hyder, DT, 79.6, 23 snaps
- Deommodore Lenoir, CB, 78.5, 64 snaps
- Fred Warner, LB, 78.5, 64 snaps
- Charvarius Ward, CB, 77.1, 50 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.
- Spencer Burford, RG, 44.4, 28 snaps
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 46.8, 62 snaps
- Aaron Banks, LG, 51.4, 64 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- T.Y. McGill, DT, 36.0, 16 snaps
- Akeem Spence, DT, 39.5, 20 snaps
- Janoris Jenkins, CB, 46.6, 14 snaps
Quick Takeaways
George Kittle walked away with the game's highest overall grade. His 91.9 overall grade was a season-high. The tight end registered four receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns, marking his second game this season and the third of his career with two-or-more receiving touchdowns. His 54-yard touchdown reception was the longest by a tight end this season.
Running back Jordan Mason was once again tasked to help protect a lead, coming in late in the game and making the most of his seven snaps and four carries. The rookie recorded a career-high 64 rushing yards, including his career-long 55-yard run.
As always, tackle Trent Williams finds himself among the highest-graded players. He remains the NFL's highest-graded offensive lineman. Williams' run-blocking grade of 94.1 top,s the NFL while his pass-blocking grade of 89.6 ranks third (Laremy Tunsil - 91.6, Tristan Wirfs - 90.0).
Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud has played 55 total snaps on offense over the past two games. His 79.8 overall grade was his third-highest of the season.
How did Brock Purdy do? The rookie quarterback's Pro Football Focus grade has increased with each game. His 70.3 overall grade against the Seahawks was his best yet, topping his 69.1 grade against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his 61.4 grade against the Miami Dolphins. Purdy finished the game 17-of-26 for 217 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a season-low 19 receiving yards from his two catches on four targets, earning his lowest grade of the season. His crucial drop late in the game likely cost him in Pro Football Focus' evaluation.
Guard Aaron Banks finds himself in the bottom three for the second time in four games. The offensive lineman has now earned a grade under 60.0 eight times this season.
Defensive end Nick Bosa earned the highest grade of any defensive player in the game and graded third overall, behind Kittle and Mason. His 90.8 overall grade was his second-highest of the season (91.6 in Week 4), and his pass-rushing grade of 91.9 was a career-high. Bosa led the game with six total pressures, earning two hits and three hurries along the way. In addition, he recorded sack number 15.5 of the season, tying his career-high mark from last season. Bosa has recorded a sack in seven of his last eight games and 11 of 13 games in 2022.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga had initially earned an overall grade of 83.4, which would have been his highest mark since Week 1. However, while writing this, Pro Football Focus adjusted his grade to 75.8, dropping the second-year safety just outside the top five. Hufanga finished the game with four tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
Kerry Hyder recorded his highest grade since Week 9 of 2016 (82.9). The defensive tackle came away with three pressures and his best run grade (75.6) since Week 13 of the 2020 season (80.1).
Linebacker Fred Warner earned his highest grade over the last three games. His 83.5 overall grade this season is the second-highest of his career (88.6 in 2020).
Snap Counts
Offense
64 - Aaron Banks (LG), Brock Purdy (QB), Jake Brendel (C), Mike McGlinchey (RT), Trent Williams (LT)
62 - Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
57 - Christian McCaffrey (RB)
54 - George Kittle (TE), Jauan Jennings (WR)
36 - Daniel Brunskill (RG)
33 - Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
28 - Spencer Burford (RG)
27 - Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR)
14 - Tyler Kroft (TE)
7 - Jordan Mason (RB)
6 - Charlie Woerner (TE)
3 - Willie Snead IV (WR)
2 - Danny Gray (WR)
1 - Ross Dwelley (TE)
Defense
64 - Deommodore Lenoir (CB), Dre Greenlaw (LB), Fred Warner (LB), Talanoa Hufanga (FS), Tashaun Gipson Sr. (FS)
51 - Nick Bosa (DE)
50 - Charvarius Ward (CB)
47 - Arik Armstead (DE)
42 - Jimmie Ward (CB)
37 - Samson Ebukam (DE)
34 - Charles Omenihu (DT)
23 - Kerry Hyder (DT)
22 - Azeez Al-Shaair (LB)
20 - Akeem Spence (DT)
16 - T.Y. McGill (DT)
15 - Drake Jackson (DE)
14 - Janoris Jenkins (CB)
13 - Jordan Willis (DE)
Special Teams
24 - Charlie Woerner, George Odum, Oren Burks
21 - Ross Dwelley
20 - Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jordan Mason
17 - Willie Snead IV
14 - Janoris Jenkins, Jordan Willis
11 - Ray-Ray McCloud III
10 - Kyle Juszczyk, Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
9 - Ambry Thomas
8 - Danny Gray, Robbie Gould (K)
6 - Deommodore Lenoir
5 - Talanoa Hufanga
4 - Aaron Banks, Colton McKivitz, Daniel Brunskill, Fred Warner, Jake Brendel, Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford
3 - Charles Omenihu, Drake Jackson, Kerry Hyder, T.Y. McGill, Tyler Kroft
2 - Azeez Al-Shaair, Charvarius Ward, Jimmie Ward
1 - Christian McCaffrey, Dre Greenlaw, George Kittle, Tashaun Gipson Sr.