The San Francisco 49ers gave their fans an early gift on Christmas Eve, an eighth straight win, beating the Washington Commanders 37-20.
This team is so good. Most of the wins during the win streak have been over playoff-worthy teams. And though some of the final scores may say otherwise, most of the games haven't even been that close.
And it's happened with a third-string quarterback.
Here are my quick observations from the 49ers' 11th win of the season.
- Brock Purdy doesn't play like a rookie. He's so poised.
Purdy didn't throw it away because it was a screen play and lineman were downfield.
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) December 24, 2022
If he threw it away it would have been a penalty.
- People talk about Purdy's lack of arm strength, but I'm not too concerned as long as he continues to throw accurately, on time, and to the right read.
- I believed this would be Purdy's biggest test so far. He wasn't perfect, but he played well and passed yet another test.
- Brandon Aiyuk is fun to watch. So smooth.
- Nick Bosa is the 49ers' MVP. You could make the case that he should be considered for league MVP. He's also two and a half sacks away from being the 49ers' single-season sack king. If Bosa doesn't win the defensive player of the year award, we riot!
15-4 with a Super bowl trip in year one
*Year two is a wash due to injury*
NFCCG appearance in year three
11-4 with a division title in year four
.700 winning percentage in the games he's played over this span
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) December 25, 2022
- Ray-Ray McCloud is more than just a kick returner. He's a weapon.
RAY-RAY ALL THE WAY pic.twitter.com/4grkiDIDNU
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 24, 2022
- Mike McGlinchey. Drive-killer.
- George Kittle has been on another level lately. He seems to have gelled with Purdy.
- Interceptions that go off of the hands of a receiver shouldn't be placed on the quarterback. I wonder if Jauan Jennings would agree.
- You can't run on the 49ers' defense. They even make good-running teams look bad running the ball.
- That said, the secondary still makes me nervous. Injuries have made this unit a little too thin for my liking. Those young corners get beat sometimes. And Talanoa Hufanga, the Pro Bowl safety, seems to blow coverage at least once every game.
- It doesn't matter which position Jimmie Ward plays, he will still make his presence known.
- The offensive line has played well this season.
- Kyle Shanahan's offense put up 30 second-half points on one of the league's best defenses. That's really impressive. Those who were calling for Shanahan to be fired several weeks ago need to run to church and repent.
- When the 49ers were 3-4, I was confident they would turn it around. But I didn't expect 8-straight wins and for them to be 11-4. I certainly would not have expected it had I known Jimmy Garoppolo would go down. And yet, they keep winning.
Next up is a New Year's Day battle with the Raiders in Las Vegas. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Go Niners.