Sunday was a rough day for the San Francisco 49ers’ defense against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw four touchdowns and zero interceptions
in three straight games, and the Rams routinely picked on different players from their new 13 personnel wrinkle. The 49ers’ defense did get some stops, but it came with the team down 21-0 in the second quarter. The Rams scored on every possession in the second half, except the final drive, which was running the clock out in the fourth quarter.
Mac Jones finished with six incompletions on 39 attempts, one was an interception, and another was a drop by Jauan Jennings. Jennings also fumbled on a promising drive for the offense. Given the potential struggles from the 49ers’ defense, the offense will need to play as close to perfect as possible.
Let’s look at the snap counts and grades from Sunday’s game, according to Pro Football Focus.
Offense
Quarterback
Mac Jones 63 (69.3)
Jones was far from the issue on Sunday. At times, he was downright excellent. With a stat line of 33/39, 319 yards, 8.2 YPA, 2 TDs, and an INT, Jones sliced and diced the vaunted Rams defense through the air. Jones was blitzed on 17.9% of his dropbacks and turned in a perfect performance against the blitz, going 7/7 with 86 yards and a TD. On play action throws, Jones went 6/6 for 51 yards, but on straight dropbacks, Jones put together a 27/33, 268-yard, three-touchdown day with an interception on fourth down. The question is, will Brock Purdy return to the lineup? Jones has made the case to push Shanahan to stick with the hot hand.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey 49 (64.3)
Kyle Juszczyk 31 (58.0)
Brian Robinson 14 (68.5)
The 49ers’ rushing attack struggled to get going, but being down 21-0 in the blink of an eye will push you away from the run, also. McCaffrey finished with 30 rushing yards on 12 carries with 29 yards after contact. However, Brian Robinson found success on the ground with 41 yards on eight attempts and two runs over ten-plus yards. Robinson punched the ball in the end zone as well. As usual, McCaffrey was a key receiving target, hauling in eight passes for 66 yards.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings 58 (68.2)
Kendrick Bourne 43 (58.4)
Demarcus Robinson 29 (66.1)
Skyy Moore 11 (66.1)
Jordan Watkins 3 (56.5)
Jauan Jennings found the end zone for the second consecutive week, but his fumble when the 49ers offense was showing signs of life can’t happen. With 71 yards, six catches, and a touchdown, Jennings is looking healthier each week. Demarcus Robinson was facing his former team again in 2025 and finished with 34 yards on three catches. Kendrick Bourne caught his only target for 19 yards. This team desperately needs to have Ricky Pearsall or Brandon Aiyuk return to the lineup. At this point, the team will take either, but both would be ideal.
Tight End
George Kittle 57 (81.5)
Luke Farrell 17 (67.5)
Jake Tonges 3 (55.2)
Two of Jones’ touchdowns went to tight ends, with Kittle and Farrell hauling in one apiece. Kittle caught all nine of his targets for 84 yards and 9.3 yards per reception. After the game, Kittle outlined how the offense has to help their defense more by scoring points and not putting them on the field right after coming off. It will be up to the 49ers’ offense down the stretch to determine how far they will go in 2025.
Offensive Line
Dominick Puni 63 (56.9)
Colton McKivitz 63 (66.6)
Jake Brendel 63 (56.2)
Trent Williams 63 (70.3)
Spencer Burford 35 (52.8)
Ben Bartch 28 (70.2)
The first thing that jumps out is the split between Burford and Bartch at left guard. On 26 pass-blocking snaps, Burford allowed three hurries and pressures. Bartch finished with a clean sheet on 16 pass-blocking snaps. Jake Brendel allowed a team-high four pressures and hurries on 42 pass-blocking snaps for a pass-blocking grade of 34.0. McKivitz, Williams, and Puni allowed a pressure and hurry each, but Jones wasn’t sacked on Sunday. On only 12 run-blocking snaps, Bartch finished with the highest run-blocking grade of 71.9. I’d imagine Bartch is the starter at left guard moving forward.
Defense
Defensive Line
Sam Okuayinonu 46 (70.5)
Jordan Elliott 38 (28.7)
Kalia Davis 36 (51.2)
Bryce Huff 33 (47.3)
Keion White 32 (57.6)
CJ West 29 (28.4)
Kevin Givens 28 (42.6)
Clelin Ferrell 24 (44.5)
Robert Beal, Jr. 10 (69.3)
The 49ers defense totaled 16 pressures, six QB hits, eight hurries, and two sacks on Sunday. While it didn’t feel like it, performances like that will be fine moving forward, especially against weaker offenses. White and Davis notched a sack each, and four of the pressures were credited to players not on the defensive line, but still a solid performance as a pass-rushing group. The problem was the run defense, which allowed 126 yards on 30 attempts. If you can’t slow down the run, then you don’t earn the right to rush the passer.
Linebacker
Tatum Bethune 65 (52.6)
Dee Winters 63 (59.8)
Luke Gifford 26 (28.9)
Curtis Robinson 3 (63.4)
Winters and Bethune combined for five defensive stops. Winters had four and finished with a team-high 80.1 tackling grade. The problem was combating the Rams’ offensive motion and 13 personnel package, which forced Luke Gifford on the field and the target of Stafford and Sean McVay. Gifford allowed 50 yards on three catches, and the clear goal of attacking him was what Shanahan does to linebackers when he feels he has an advantage. Winters allowed 40 yards on six targets, but at certain points of the game, the Rams targeted Gifford to create explosives. The 49ers are missing their coach on the field in Fred Warner.
Secondary
Malik Mustapha 68 (50.4)
Ji’Ayir Brown 68 (53.0)
Renardo Green 68 (52.6)
Deommodore Lenoir 68 (56.7)
Let’s not sugarcoat it. This was an absolutely rough showing from the secondary in almost every way imaginable. The Rams had a plan to attack Renardo Green, which they routinely did to the tune of eight targets, five receptions, and 52 yards. Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown missed tackles, and both were dinged for a touchdown each, including the Davante Adams touchdown, where Mustapha was one-on-one with the future Hall of Famer. Just can’t happen. The other two touchdowns were charged to Lenoir, who allowed all three of his targets to be caught for 33 yards. Stafford did what he wanted and smoked the 49ers’ secondary.
