The San Francisco 49ers dropped their record to 5-7 after a 35-10 loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game. Which Niners stood out, and who has more work to do?
Below are Pro Football Focus' five highest-graded 49ers players on offense against the Bills.
- Dominick Puni, RG, 89.3, 48 snaps
- Ben Bartch, LG, 78.4, 48 snaps
- Jauan Jennings, WR, 77.0, 46 snaps
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, 76.9, 12 snaps
- Jaylon Moore, LT, 76.1, 48 snaps
Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Evan Anderson, DT, 83.1, 33 snaps
- Khalil Davis, DT, 78.3, 18 snaps
- De'Vondre Campbell, LB, 75.2, 41 snaps
- Isaac Yiadom, CB, 70.1, 11 snaps
- Robert Beal Jr., DE, 69.2, 21 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.
- Kyle Juszczyk, FB, 29.6, 21 snaps
- Brock Purdy, QB, 46.4, 48 snaps
- George Kittle, TE, 50.5, 48 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Kevin Givens, DT, 36.0, 3 snaps
- Jalen Graham, LB, 37.0, 13 snaps
- Charvarius Ward, CB, 41.3, 58 snaps
Quick Takeaways
QB Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy returned to action after missing the previous game against the Green Bay Packers due to a shoulder injury. However, the quarterback struggled to find his rhythm in the harsh weather conditions at Highmark Stadium.
Purdy completed 11 of 18 passes for 94 yards and no touchdowns, marking the first time he failed to throw for at least 100 yards in a regular-season start. His 46.4 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus was the second-lowest of his career, trailing only a 44.1 grade in Week 6 of the 2023 season against the Browns.
RG Dominick Puni
Rookie guard Dominick Puni delivered a standout performance, earning the highest overall grade among his teammates. His 89.3 offensive grade was a career-high, bolstered by the team's best run-blocking grade (85.3). Puni also allowed no pressures in 24 pass-blocking snaps, earning a pass-blocking grade of 77.9.
C Jake Brendel
Veteran center Jake Brendel also had a solid outing in pass protection, allowing no pressures on 24 pass-blocking snaps and earning a team-high pass-blocking grade of 81.4. However, his run-blocking grade of 63.7 pulled his overall grade down to 67.6.
- LG Ben Bartch, LT Jaylon Moore - 1 each
WR Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings caught three passes for 56 yards, earning an offensive grade of 77.0 or higher for the third time in four games. His 684 receiving yards lead the team this season.
RB Christian McCaffrey
Before exiting in the second quarter with a PCL injury, Christian McCaffrey tallied 53 rushing yards on seven carries (7.6 yards per carry) and added 14 receiving yards on two catches. He earned a season-high 76.9 offensive grade but could miss significant time due to the injury.
RB Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason stepped up in McCaffrey's absence, logging his most offensive snaps (25) since Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He recorded 78 rushing yards on 13 carries and earned a 71.4 offensive grade, his best since Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks (86.6).
RB Isaac Guerendo
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo earned a 65.6 offensive grade, his second-best of the season (65.9 in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams). Guerendo finished the game with 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries.
FB Kyle Juszczyk
Kyle Juszczyk had a night to forget, with a costly fumble near the goal line contributing to a career-worst 29.6 offensive grade.
DT Evan Anderson
Rookie defensive tackle Evan Anderson earned a team-best 83.1 defensive grade, his best mark since Week 6 against the Seahawks (93.3). A team-high 84.2 run defense grade boosted Anderson's grade. He finished the game with four tackles, a pressure, and a quarterback hit.
DT Khalil Davis
Recently acquired Khalil Davis posted a season-high 78.3 defensive grade in just his second game appearance with the 49ers. It was his best grade since Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 (89.4). Davis tallied two tackles against the Bills.
LB De'Vondre Campbell
De'Vondre Campbell's 75.5 defensive grade against the Bills was a season-high and his best mark since Week 9 of the 2023 season against the Los Angeles Rams (76.1). He has achieved a grade of 70.8 or higher in two of the last three games and finished Sunday's game with five tackles and a tackle for a loss.
S Malik Mustapha
Rookie Malik Mustapha earned the 49ers' best coverage grade (68.5). He finished the game with five tackles, a pass breakup, and allowed a 39.6 passer rating when targeted.
CB Charvarius Ward
Ward earned the team's best tackling grade (80.2). In his first game back since Week 8, the veteran defensive back finished with five tackles and a tackle for a loss. However, his 41.3 defensive grade was among the lowest on the team.
DT Maliek Collins
Maliek Collins earned the 49ers' best pass-rush grade (68.0). He led the team with two pressures and two hurries, and finished the game with three tackles.
- DT Maliek Collins - 2
- DT Evan Anderson, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DT Kalia Davis - 1 each
LB Fred Warner
Fred Warner has endured a rough stretch, posting his two lowest grades of the season in consecutive games (44.7 in Week 12, 52.0 in Week 13). He recorded four tackles against the Bills but missed one.
Missed tackles
The 49ers defense committed six missed tackles, their fewest since Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys (4).
- S Malik Mustapha, S Ji'Ayir Brown - 2 each
- LB Dee Winters, LB Fred Warner - 1 each
49ers Week 13 Snap Counts
Offense
48 - Ben Bartch (LG), Brock Purdy (QB), Colton McKivitz (RT), Dominick Puni (RG), George Kittle (TE), Jake Brendel (C), Jaylon Moore (LT)
46 - Jauan Jennings (WR)
36 - Deebo Samuel (WR)
35 - Ricky Pearsall (WR)
25 - Jordan Mason (RB)
21 - Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
12 - Christian McCaffrey (RB)
11 - Isaac Guerendo (RB)
3 - Chris Conley (WR)
2 - Eric Saubert (TE)
1 - Jacob Cowing (WR)
Defense
58 - Charvarius Ward (CB), Ji'Ayir Brown (SS), Malik Mustapha (FS), Renardo Green (CB)
45 - Fred Warner (LB)
42 - Dee Winters (LB)
41 - De'Vondre Campbell (LB)
35 - Yetur Gross-Matos (DE)
34 - Sam Okuayinonu (DE)
33 - Evan Anderson (DT)
32 - Leonard Floyd (DE)
30 - Maliek Collins (DT)
26 - Kalia Davis (DT)
21 - Nick McCloud (CB), Robert Beal Jr. (DE)
18 - Khalil Davis (DT)
13 - Jalen Graham (LB)
11 - Isaac Yiadom (CB)
3 - Kevin Givens (DT)
1 - Tashaun Gipson Sr. (SS)
Special Teams
21 - George Odum
18 - Robert Beal Jr.
16 - Eric Saubert, Jalen Graham
15 - Brayden Willis, Chris Conley, Isaac Yiadom, Jake Tonges
14 - Dee Winters
8 - Jordan Mason
7 - Isaac Guerendo, Jake Moody (K), Pat O'Donnell (P), Rock Ya-Sin, Taybor Pepper (LS)
6 - De'Vondre Campbell, Deebo Samuel, Evan Anderson, Ji'Ayir Brown, Kalia Davis, Maliek Collins, Nick McCloud, Renardo Green, Yetur Gross-Matos
5 - Fred Warner
4 - Ben Bartch, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Jaylon Moore, Nick Zakelj, Spencer Burford
3 - Jacob Cowing
1 - Tashaun Gipson Sr.