When the 49ers needed a big play Sunday, Jimmy Garoppolo and Emmanuel Sanders connected for a monster touchdown.
San Francisco cut the New Orleans Saints' lead to 20-14 early in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, thanks to Garoppolo's 75-yard heave to Sanders. Sanders initially burned his man in the secondary, then slowed up to beat Saints safety Marcus Williams and track back to Garoppolo's underthrown pass.
When Sanders hit the ground after hauling Garoppolo's throw, he had plenty of time to get back on his feet and evade Williams and Vonn Bell.
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The TD was the longest of Garoppolo's career, and Sanders matched a career-long he set four years ago with the Denver Broncos. Sanders' reception was his third of the day and his 125 yards on those three catches are Sanders' most with the 49ers. Sunday was Sanders' first game with 100-plus receiving yards since Halloween, and he was limited to just 113 yards over the last four weeks after he battled a ribs injury.
Sanders was healthy enough to suit up as one of only four receivers Sunday, and he even matched Garoppolo with a passing TD of his own on the 49ers' ensuing drive.
Is there a QB controversy brewing? (Jokes).