What a win. What a performance considering the circumstances and players available for the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Shanahan provided Mac Jones and the 49ers offense with a perfect game plan to control
the football and protect the football, while maximizing the team’s efficiency. Christian McCaffrey was the engine and the constant force of gravity for the offense, with the Rams defense reacting to his presence on every snap. The defense made timely plays to finish the 49ers’ upset at SoFi Stadium.
Which two 49ers bounced back to help the team to victory on Thursday night?
Offense: Kendrick Bourne
After hauling in seven of his first eight targets against New Orleans and Arizona, Bourne dropped three of his four targets against Jacksonville in Week 4. That single performance tanked his drop grade from Pro Football Focus to 29.0 on the season.
Fast forward to Week 5, ten catches on 11 targets for 142 yards, and a clear connection with his former teammate in New England. With 57 yards after the catch and 3.46 yards per route run, Bourne was the driving force of the receiver room. There was one drop to speak about, which prevented Bourne from having a perfect day, but all things considered, we can let that one slide.
With the 49ers needing a wide receiver to step up with the missing weapons on offense, Bourne was just that, in the nick of time.
Defense: Renardo Green
Renardo Green was inactive for the Jacksonville game, but returned to the lineup with a tall task of helping slow down Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Green responded with a very solid showing, only allowing three catches on nine targets for 34 yards. Also, Green posted his lowest NFL QB rating when targeted at 45.6. The first two weeks, when targeted, Green’s NFL QB rating was 91.7 in Seattle and 91.4 in New Orleans.
A deeper look into the matchups is eye-opening as well. When facing Nacua, Green was targeted three times and allowed two catches for 23 yards, but against Adams, he was targeted four times, allowing one catch for 11 yards with a PBU. Against Tutu Atwell, Green finished with a clean sheet on two targets.
Seeing Green play well against heightened competition is a welcome sight, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next, and how hot the Bucs offense is with Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka. Green’s raised play is necessary for this 49ers defense that is trying to figure out their pass rush.
