Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers have been on a tear to begin the 2023 season, cementing themselves as a top team in the NFL, scoring 30 points in each of their first three contests, while allowing just 14 points a game.
However, it's not just those two sides that the 49ers are seeing contributions from; instead, San Francisco has been seeing major dividends from their special-teams unit, specifically their kicker Jake Moody and punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
While the coverage units have been questionable, the two main specialists have enjoyed a strong start to the season, with Moody earning much of the hype after beginning the season nine-for-nine following an inconsistent preseason, and deservedly so.
But, it's also time to share some love to Wishnowsky, who has quietly enjoyed a strong start to the season which has significantly helped the 49ers in playing the field position game.
Wishnowsky has punted 10 times in 2023, with seven going inside the 20-yard line, backing up opposing offenses, while also booting punts of 56, 62, and 67 yards.
The significance? Of those seven punts inside the 20-yard line, opposing offenses have gone three-and-out three times on the following drive, while two others resulted in interceptions, and the latter two resulted in long touchdown drives.
The 49ers' defense has already proven to be an upper-echelon unit, as expected, but Wishnowsky's ability to pin opposing offenses inside the 20-yard line, and really inside the 10-yard line has been a significant portion in aiding the defense, which then results in a positive flip of field position for San Francisco's offense.
Wishnowsky was paid the big bucks last season, and is living up to the part early in the 2023 season.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers DE Yetur Gross-Matos named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
By Site Staff
Dec 11
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos has been named the Week 14 NFC Defensive Player of the Week following his standout performance in Sunday's 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears.
NFC Players of the Week! (Week 14)@__lobo99 | @bryan_bresee...
49ers mailbag: What do the 49ers have left in the tank for the last four games? Will SF bring back Robert Saleh? Can Brock Purdy beat good teams?
By Marc Adams
Dec 11
It's always a big week when the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams. In 2021, the rivalry became even bigger when the 49ers had to win in the season's final week, in Los Angeles, to make it into the playoffs. On Thursday night, the 49ers must win again to keep their...
49ers vs. Rams injury updates: Ji'Ayir Brown questionable to return
By David Bonilla
Dec 12
The San Francisco 49ers entered Thursday night's NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams without key players, most notably left tackle Trent Williams, who is sidelined for the fourth straight game with an ankle injury. On defense, standout rookie safety Malik Mustapha...
Bears D-lineman fined for hit on 49ers QB Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
4 hrs
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy briefly left last weekend's game against the Chicago Bears after a brutal hit from defensive end Darrell Taylor in the third quarter. Although Purdy returned after missing just one play and appeared to be fine, the NFL deemed Taylor's...
