The San Francisco 49ers traveled to New Jersey and dominated the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t avoid the injury bug, as rookie Mykel Williams tore his ACL late in the game.
It’s another tough blow for the 49ers and their defense. The 49ers dominated the Giants on Sunday by getting back to running the football. Now, the 49ers may have Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall return in time for their clash with the Los Angeles Rams.
Let’s look at the snap counts and grades from Sunday, according to PFF.
Offense
Quarterback
Mac Jones 65 (62.3)
Adrian Martinez 1 (60.0)
Jones began the game on fire, completing his first 14 passes. With the running game clicking, Jones was efficient, nearly completing 80 percent of his passes for 9.8 per attempt. On eight play-action drop-backs, Jones completed all five of his pass attempts for 75 yards. The only blip on Jones’ record on Sunday was the fumble before the end of the first half, but otherwise it was a very solid showing for the 49ers quarterback. Adrian Martinez took the final snap in victory formation, which was a very welcome sight.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey 57 (66.7)
Kyle Juszczyk 44 (59.8)
Brian Robinson 9 (89.8)
It was another 100-yard rushing performance for McCaffrey on Sunday, with 62 yards after contact and four missed tackles forced. The longest run of the day belonged to Brian Robinson with an 18-yard touchdown run to ice the game for the 49ers. On five attempts, Robinson finished with 53 yards, and 43 of them came after contact. Juszczyk added a catch for 12 yards.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings 52 (68.9)
Kendrick Bourne 48 (59.5)
Demarcus Robinson 22 (55.5)
Jordan Watkins 8 (84.1)
Skyy Moore 8 (91.6)
McCaffrey led the team with five receptions for 67 yards, but Jennings led all wide receivers with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Kendrick Bourne added two catches, and Jordan Watkins hauled in his first NFL catch for 19 yards. Even Skyy Moore got into the act with a catch for 21 yards. Hopefully, Pearsall returns this week to strengthen the 49ers’ receiver room.
Tight End
George Kittle 57 (74.9)
Luke Farrell 21 (78.2)
Jake Tonges 4 (55.5)
George Kittle had a modest day receiving with four catches for 32 yards. Luke Farrell added a catch for nine yards. Kittle finished with a 77.0 run blocking grade, and Farrell finished with a 67.6 run blocking grade. Farrell actually finished with the sixth-highest offensive grade of 78.2 on Sunday.
Offensive Line
Dominick Puni 66 (89.4)
Spencer Burford 66 (55.8)
Matt Hennessey 66 (75.8)
Colton McKivitz 66 (83.9)
Trent Williams 66 (77.7)
The offensive line allowed five pressures, with three going to McKivitz, but Dominick Puni was stellar on Sunday. Puni allowed just a pressure and hurry, but finished with the highest offensive and second-highest run blocking grade behind McKivitz, while finishing second to Trent Williams for pass rushing grade. Spencer Burford got the start in place of Connor Colby at left guard and allowed a sack and pressure on 29 pass blocking snaps.
Defense
Defensive Line
Sam Okuayinonu 41 (50.6)
Alfred Collins 33 (49.7)
Keion White 33 (58.9)
Mykel Williams 29 (53.0)
Kalia Davis 24 (47.3)
Jordan Elliott 19 (47.7)
Kevin Givens 18 (65.3)
Clelin Ferrell 18 (48.6)
Robert Beal Jr. 13 (68.8)
Sammy O had himself a day with five pressures, four hurries, and a sack on Sunday. Newest 49er Keion White added a pressure and a hurry, but had a 31.3% win rate in true pass sets. White was also the highest graded pass rusher on true pass sets at 75.6. Clelin Ferrell returned to the 49ers with two pressures, a hurry, and a bone-crushing sack of Jaxson Dart. Unfortunately, the story is about Mykel Williams’ season-ending injury. Bryce Huff will return against the Los Angeles Rams, and you have to imagine the 49ers will add another pass rusher by today’s trade deadline. How much more can this position group take?
Linebacker
Tatum Bethune 57 (60.4)
Dee Winters 57 (43.1)
Luke Gifford 3 (47.3)
Pro Football Focus credited Tatum Bethune with 12 tackles; that seems low. Bethune has been great filling in for Fred Warner and added four defensive stops. The 49ers continue to be a linebacker factory. Winters added a defensive stop and two tackles, but the story has been Bethune’s play as the MIKE linebacker. The 49ers will need his play to continue at this level as they face the Rams on Sunday.
Secondary
Malik Mustapha 57 (74.0)
Ji’Ayir Brown 57 (70.7)
Renardo Green 57 (76.2)
Deommodore Lenoir 57 (53.9)
Upton Stout 53 (44.4)
Renardo Green continues his stretch of stellar coverage with another great outing on Sunday. Green allowed one catch for six yards on three targets with a PBU and an allowed passer rating of 42.4. Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha allowed four catches for 17 yards with a PBU by Brown combined on Sunday; quite the difference from last week in Houston. Upton Stout was charged with one of the two passing touchdowns and allowed 53 yards on six catches. Deommodore Lenoir allowed the other touchdown and allowed a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on Sunday.
