Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports


Week 11 Studs and Duds From 49ers’ Win Over Cardinals

Justin Wong
Nov 18, 2019 at 4:49 PM0


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Below are the Studs and Duds of the game as the 49ers rallied from a 16-point deficit to sweep the Arizona Cardinals, 36-26.

Studs


The Replacements


In their most crucial moments, it was the replacements who stepped up for the 49ers. They may have played in limited snaps, but you saw across the board how players made the best of their opportunities. It's likely they'll see their numbers called more often in the ensuing weeks.

The 49ers were down 0-16 with about nine minutes left in the second quarter. Up to that point, the offense had only generated 10 yards of total offense. On the first play of the drive, the 49ers dial up a screen pass to receiver Richie James Jr. to the left for a 57-yard gain and suddenly, the momentum shifted back in their favor. They eventually scored their first touchdown in just 1:10 of play.

James Jr. had been used primarily on special teams but was limited in the offense up to this point; he stepped up to the moment while Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis took back seats. Conversely, it was undrafted rookie tight end Ross Dwelley who stepped up to the occasion with two red-zone touchdowns after replacing tight end George Kittle--prior to this game, Dwelley had zero career touchdowns.

Fast forward to the game-winning score as the 49ers called on running back Jeff Wilson Jr. for the 25-yard catch-and-run touchdown. That play was the only snap Wilson played in the game and was his first career receiving touchdown; he only had one reception for two yards this season prior to this.


On the ensuing drive, it was 49ers defensive end Damontre Moore who came up with the play that sealed the game. Moore—who was signed just signed five days prior to replace Ronald Blair III—forced a fumble off Cardinals receiver KeeSean Johnson that was subsequently recovered by Jaquiski Tartt.

Jimmy Garoppolo


For the record, I acknowledge that 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw two boneheaded interceptions in the red zone. I have read the "Good Jimmy" and "Bad Jimmy" takes this season and while this was far from a perfect game, Garoppolo stepped up to the moment despite his shortcomings earlier. Down three points with 2:09 left in the fourth quarter, it was going to be a crucial learning moment for Garoppolo and this offense, regardless of the outcome.

Not only did Garoppolo march the offense down the field, but he also relied on a variety of receiving options with injuries to Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders. The go-ahead touchdown to Wilson Jr. puts Garoppolo throwing touchdowns to 11 different players this season.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had to put the game in Garoppolo's hands and despite his mistakes, the numbers were historic.

In the second half, Garoppolo was 26-of-30 for 305 passing yards, with three touchdowns and the two interceptions; he ended the day with 424 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Garoppolo now joins Joe Montana and Steve Young as the only 49ers quarterbacks to throw for 400 yards and four touchdowns in a game. The last time a 49ers quarterback had accomplished such a feat? Steve Young in 1993.


Deebo Samuel


The second-round pick out of South Carolina has been everything the 49ers front office hoped for with immediate returns during his rookie season. In back-to-back games, Deebo Samuel has averaged more than six receptions and 110 receiving yards as a rookie. He now joins the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans, and Julio Jones as the only receivers to have accomplished this in their rookie seasons.


Samuel ended the day with eight receptions for 134 receiving yards despite leaving to the locker room late game with a shoulder injury. He returned to the field and contributed two additional catches on the game-winning drive. Entering the second half of the schedule, Samuel is now coming into his own.

Duds


Run Game


The 49ers have struggled to run the football against their NFC West opponents in the last three games. Despite the Cardinals ranking near the bottom in run defense, the 49ers' rushing attack was non-existent the entire game. The 49ers rushed 19 times for 34 yards for a 1.8 yard per carry average. Tevin Coleman led the team with 12 carries for 14 rushing yards.

Opposing teams are making a special effort to sell the run against the 49ers' second-ranked rushing attack in the NFL.


Richard Sherman


Entering Sunday, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman had just three defensive penalties to his name. Sherman picked up with three passing interference calls against him in this game alone; the first penalty was for 41 yards, which resulted in the Cardinals getting spotted for first-and-goal at the 49ers' three yard-line.

It was rare to see Sherman struggle in pass defense, notably against Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk. Nonetheless, Sherman had a couple of thoughts about the passing interference calls…


Defending Mobile Quarterbacks


Whether it's Seahawks' Russell Wilson, Cardinals' Kyler Murray—or perhaps Ravens' Lamar Jackson and Packers' Aaron Rodgers down the road—the 49ers' defense hasn't looked quite the same against mobile quarterbacks.

While Murray was only 23-of-33 for 150 passing yards, he also ran eight times for 67 rushing yards which included a 22-yard touchdown run off an RPO play in the fourth quarter.


With 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander out for the season, it will be interesting to see how opposing teams—notably, teams with mobile quarterbacks—challenge the 49ers' front seven defense moving forward.
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.


0 Comments

  • No Comments

Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News



Is new 49ers backup QB Josh Dobbs an upgrade over Sam Darnold?

By Marc Adams
Mar 24

In 2022, the San Francisco 49ers seemed to have an embarrassment of riches at the quarterback spot. They had second-year player, and first-year starter Trey Lance, who they had traded the world away to draft. They had Jimmy Garoppolo, the team's starting QB from late 2017-2021, as Lance's backup. And they had a seventh-round draft pick in Brock Purdy, though he would be unlikely to play. Or so we thought. After Lance and Garoppolo went down, Purdy surprised everyone by keeping the ship afloat and leading the 49ers back to the NFC Championship Game. But after an injury to the UCL in his throwing arm, Purdy's 2023 season was in jeopardy. Which quarterbacks the 49ers would take to training camp was now even more important. They still had Lance, but they added Brandon Allen and



49ers still favored to win Super Bowl 59 after first wave of free agency

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

After falling just short of championship glory in February, the San Francisco 49ers are eyeing another opportunity in Super Bowl 59, and oddsmakers are backing their ambitions. The latest defeat was the second unsuccessful Super Bowl trip of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era. Now, the Niners own the best odds in the league (+550) to finally hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy once more. Super Bowl 59 will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The team that dashed the 49ers' championship dreams in February, the Kansas City Chiefs, boast the second-best odds (+600) in the NFL to win Super Bowl 59. Among the NFC West teams, the Los Angeles Rams have the next-best odds after the 49ers, with distant +3500 odds,



49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward underwent surgeries; Dre Greenlaw aiming for Week 1 return

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

According to general manager John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn't the sole player to undergo core muscle surgery this offseason. Lynch disclosed to reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that All-Pro tight end George Kittle also had the procedure. However, the silver lining is that both players are expected to be fully cleared for training camp, set to commence at the end of July. George Kittle and Charvarius Ward both had core muscle surgery this offseason and will be back, fully cleared, for



49ers' Dre Greenlaw shares rehab photo, aims for Week 1 return

By David Bonilla
6 hrs

Dre Greenlaw has his sights set on returning to the football field in Week 1 of the 2024 season. The San Francisco 49ers linebacker sustained a non-contact torn Achilles last month during the team's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, dealing a significant blow to a team that fought into overtime in the NFL championship game. Greenlaw underwent surgery on February 15 and recently shared a photo on Instagram of his rehabilitation from the Achilles injury. #49ers Dre Greenlaw has begun the process of rehabbing from


Latest

More by Justin Wong

More Articles

Share 49ersWebzone