The San Francisco 49ers remain undefeated after toppling the Denver Broncos 24-14 in a Week 4 home win on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Brock Purdy continues to be the play caller that the Niners need. He finished 19-of-30 passing for 218 yards, two touchdowns and a rating of 107.4. He threw zero interceptions and did not get sacked while 29 yards on the ground to help the 49ers improve to 4-0.
The game was tied 3-3 at halftime, but the Niners scored 21 points in the second half.
"I just think there were a couple plays, little detailed things, sort of hurting our drives," Purdy told reporters. "Getting the first down, I felt like we were moving the ball and stuff, but we were just hurting ourselves with little things."
The 49ers' rushing attack didn't have the
dominant outing that they're accustomed to, but it still compiled 140 rushing yards, led by running back Christian McCaffrey who had 15 touches for 52 yards and a TD.
Purdy connected with five different receivers, mostly finding his old reliable targets in George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. as well as newest favorite target Mike Evans. Kittle put up four catches for 70 yards and score, while Samuel and Evans each had five receptions. Evans had a team-high 76 yards and Samuel went for 26 yards with a score.
The Niners defense forced a fumble and limited Denver's run game to 82 yards. Dre Greenlaw led the team with 12 tackles, including seven solo. Fred Warner added seven tackles and two pass deflections.
San Francisco 49ers Week 4 grade: B+
The Niners earn a B+ for their Week 4 performance, notably because the scoreboard doesn't entail exactly how the game went. San Francisco dominated the Broncos for much of the game, although Denver drew first blood with a field goal, the 49ers had the more fire power to continue an onslaught throughout the game.
WINNERS
Here are takeaways from the 49ers vs. Broncos game including winners and losers.
Mike Evans
The veteran receiver left the 49ers Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals early following a non-contact injury. There were questions about his availability for Week 4 versus the Broncos.
He answered them by suiting for the contest against Denver. His stat line to back it up was five catches for 76 yards, a team-high.
49ers' run defense
The 49ers held the Broncos to just 82 total rushing yards on the game. Denver's leading rusher for the game, J.K. Dobbins, had just 40 yards on the day. Veteran linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw combined for 19 total tackles.
49ers' O-line
Brock Purdy is looking like an early candidate for NFL MVP, but the big guys up front that defend the line of scrimmage also deserve flowers.
The 49ers offensive line has been special, especially in pass-blocking formations. Purdy has not been sacked this season. While he has the skill necessary to successfully dance around in the pocket and scramble into the back field, his success is largely influenced by the guys who block for him: Trent Williams at left tackle, Connor Colby at left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Dominick Puni at right guard and Colton McKivitz at right tackle.
LOSERS
Kyle Juszczyk
The latest 49ers victim to the injury bug was fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Juszczyk exited early in the 4th quarter after taking a helmet hit to his knee after making a 16-yard reception.
Broncos' offensive consistency
Denver looked like a different team at various parts of the game. Early the Broncos were gaining positive yardage, but couldn't find the end zone. They settled for a field goal in the first quarter and then didn't score again until the final period, but it was too little, too late.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winners and losers from another signature win for undefeated 49ers
