PFF’s highest- and lowest-graded 49ers players vs. Cowboys, plus snap counts

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 during the Divisional Round of the playoffs. 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 Cowboys.

• Charlie Woerner, TE, 81.5, 9 snaps
• Spencer Burford, RG, 78.5, 32 snaps
• George Kittle, TE, 78.2, 62 snaps
• Kyle Juszczyk, FB, 73.3, 34 snaps
• Jauan Jennings, WR, 72.2, 30 snaps

Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.

• Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, 90.9, 19 snaps
• Jimmie Ward, CB, 89.4, 42 snaps
• Fred Warner, LB, 86.0, 61 snaps
• Nick Bosa, DE, 79.2, 54 snaps
• Talanoa Hufanga, SS, 70.5, 61 snaps

Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.

• Daniel Brunskill, RG, 47.8, 34 snaps
• Jake Brendel, C, 53.6, 66 snaps
• Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR, 58.3, 2 snaps

Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.

• Kevin Givens, DT, 35.8, 19 snaps
• Javon Kinlaw, DT, 44.2, 23 snaps
• Samson Ebukam, DE, 49.1, 45 snaps

Quick Takeaways

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair finished with the game's highest overall grade, albeit on just 19 defensive snaps. The highest-graded player with significant playing time was defensive back Jimmie Ward, who played 37 of his 42 snaps in the slot. Sunday's performance earned Ward his highest Pro Football Focus grade since Week 12 of the 2020 season (94.7 at Rams). The veteran defensive back allowed 44 yards on seven receptions, with the longest being a 10-yard catch. In addition, he broke up two passes and deflected a Dak Prescott pass into linebacker Fred Warner's hands for an interception.

Speaking of Warner, the linebacker came away with his second-highest grade over the past eight games (88.4 in Week 18 vs. Cardinals) and his best coverage grade (86.6) of the season. Warner was targeted four times, allowing two catches for 15 yards. Prescott had a passer rating of 19.8 while throwing in the linebacker's direction. In addition, Warner registered a team-high nine tackles.

Tight end Charlie Woerner earned the game's highest grade among offensive players. Although, that was based on just nine snaps. That leaves guard Spencer Burford as the highest-graded offensive player of the game among those with a higher snap count. He played 32 snaps at right guard, allowing one pressure in 15 pass-blocking snaps.

Defensive end Nick Bosa was once again held without a sack. He has yet to earn one this postseason. However, his impact was felt. Bosa's 79.2 overall grade is his highest since Week 16 against the Washington Commanders (92.2). He finished Sunday's game with five pressures, a hit, and four hurries. His five pressures tied defensive lineman Arik Armstead for the most on the team. Only Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons had more with eight.

Tight end George Kittle has graded 76.6-or-higher in five of his last six games. His 78.2 overall grade against Dallas was his highest of this postseason. Kittle finished the game with five receptions for 95 yards, including this impressive bobble and catch.


Fullback Kyle Juszczyk earned his highest grade since Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers (75.7). His 77.2 run-blocking grade is his highest mark since Week 8 of the 2021 season (at Bears).

How did quarterback Brock Purdy do in his second career NFL playoff start? He completed 19 of 29 passing attempts for 214 yards, becoming the first rookie quarterback since at least 1970 to register 200-or-more passing yards in back-to-back postseason games. Purdy's 67.7 overall grade is the lowest of his seven starts, but it was earned against a tough and aggressive Cowboys defense, possibly the best he's faced all season.

Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw's streak of poor grades continues. He didn't register a single pressure or stop in his 23 snaps and has yet to record a grade higher than 58.7 (Week 2) this season.

Snap Counts

Offense
66 - Aaron Banks (LG), Brock Purdy (QB), Jake Brendel (C), Mike McGlinchey (RT), Trent Williams (LT)
63 - Brandon Aiyuk (WR), Deebo Samuel (WR)
62 - George Kittle (TE)
44 - Christian McCaffrey (RB)
34 - Daniel Brunskill (RG), Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
32 - Spencer Burford (RG)
30 - Jauan Jennings (WR)
22 - Elijah Mitchell (RB)
9 - Charlie Woerner (TE)
2 - Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR)
1 - Ross Dwelley (TE)

Defense
61 - Charvarius Ward (CB), Deommodore Lenoir (CB), Dre Greenlaw (LB), Fred Warner (LB), Talanoa Hufanga (SS), Tashaun Gipson Sr. (FS)
54 - Nick Bosa (DE)
47 - Arik Armstead (DT)
45 - Samson Ebukam (DE)
42 - Jimmie Ward (CB)
23 - Javon Kinlaw (DT)
19 - Azeez Al-Shaair (LB), Jordan Willis (DE), Kevin Givens (DT)
15 - Charles Omenihu (DE)
13 - Kerry Hyder (DE)
5 - T.Y. McGill (DT)
2 - George Odum (FS)
1 - Oren Burks (LB), Tarvarius Moore (FS)

Special Teams
21 - Charlie Woerner
19 - George Odum, Oren Burks
16 - Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jordan Mason
15 - Jordan Willis, Tarvarius Moore
13 - Ross Dwelley
12 - Janoris Jenkins
10 - Robbie Gould (K)
9 - Danny Gray, Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
8 - Kyle Juszczyk, Ray-Ray McCloud III
6 - Talanoa Hufanga
5 - Aaron Banks, Colton McKivitz, Daniel Brunskill, Jake Brendel, Jaylon Moore, Spencer Burford
4 - Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Fred Warner, Samson Ebukam, Samuel Womack
3 - Jauan Jennings, Javon Kinlaw, Jimmie Ward, Kerry Hyder, T.Y. McGill
1 - Arik Armstead, Charles Omenihu, Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bosa, Tashaun Gipson Sr.