Grades for 49ers' offense, defense in win over Cardinals
The 49ers on Saturday did not look the part of a team just playing out the string.Although they were down to their third quarterback and had five significant defensive players on their inactive list, the 49ers put together a satisfying team effort to deal a major blow to the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff hopes.The 49ers rode a magnificent defensive effort and did just enough on offense for a 20-12 victory for their first win at State Farm Stadium since moving their operation to Glendale, Arizona four weeks ago.The 49ers have shared the home stadium of the Cardinals since they have been banned from practicing and playing in Santa Clara due to restrictions put into place to curb the spread of COVID-19.Here’s the 49ers’ report card from their upset victory over the Cardinals, which broke a three-game losing streak:
Jeff Wilson Jr. is a keeper. He entered the season as the 49ers’ No. 4 running back. He has to be a big priority for the 49ers to bring back as a restricted free agent. Wilson, filling in as the starter in place of injured Raheem Mostert, rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 22 carries.
The 49ers gained 227 yards and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt. Wilson credited the offensive line and the receivers for doing their jobs in the running game to provide him with the room he needed to run.
Grade: A
Quarterback C.J. Beathard, making his first start since the middle of the 2018 season, took control of the team’s offense and made very few mistakes. Beathard was able to get the ball to tight end George Kittle, who caught four passes for 92 yards.
And Beathard got the 49ers into the end zone with two touchdown passes to fullback Kyle Juszczyk and one to Wilson. Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards. He was sacked three times in the first half but was not sacked in the second half.
Grade: A
The 49ers were playing without three defensive linemen, as Javon Kinlaw, Dion Jordan and Kevin Givens were declared inactive for the game. But the defensive line did a strong job against the run, holding Kenyan Drake to 45 yards on 18 rushing attempts. Kyler Murray had 75 yards rushing, including a 30-yard gain on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.
Grade: A-minus
Richard Sherman and Jimmie Ward were out, but the defensive backfield put together a strong showing with Ahkello Witherspoon, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris stepping up big.
Witherspoon, who lost contain on Murray’s fourth-down run, came back to make the play of the game when he intercepted Murray’s pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Fred Warner had a big game with three passes broken up, and a forced fumble and recovery after a completion.
Grade: A
Kicker Robbie Gould is generally Mr. Automatic from inside 40 yards. But his struggles kept the Cardinals in the game. Gould missed wide right from 41 yards and wide left from 37 yards. He also missed an extra point.
Mitch Wishnowsky had a good day punting, as he did not allow any yards on returns. He had a net 39.0-yard average and dropped two punts inside the 20-yard line.
Grade: D
It does not get much better than what coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did against the Arizona Cardinals. The game plans were spot-on. But, more important, there was a level to which the players bought into the schemes that enabled them to play fast, as well as with energy and passion.
Saleh’s passion on the sideline shows. His defense takes on his personality. His stock as a head-coaching candidate is soaring It did not matter that the 49ers put a lot of reserves onto the field, they outplayed the Cardinals, who entered the day in control of their own playoff destiny.
Grade: A
Beathard talked after the game about the players inspiring each other. It showed. A lot has gone wrong for the 49ers this season. A week earlier, they were officially eliminated from the playoff race. The 49ers kept it together and pulled together on Saturday against a team that was playing for its postseason life.
We all know the story of the season. Injuries derailed the 49ers’ hopes of returning to the Super Bowl. The 49ers are 6-9 on the season. Shanahan said he likes this collection of individuals. Of the team’s record, he said, “(It) doesn’t tell the story of who they are.”
Grade: A
