Game Breakdown: 49ers Make Statement, Dominate Jags 34-3
The 49ers made a statement to the league and themselves that when they are focused and execute they are one of the best teams in football. San Francisco dismantled Jacksonville 34-3 in a game that was over less than a minute into the 3rd quarter.
Steve Wilks and Brock Purdy were both questioned heading into this game and delivered. The Niners were prepared and hungry coming out of the bye, Jacksonville was decidedly not.
GAME BALLS
Steve Wilks – After being thrown under the bus and then onto the sideline, Wilks was in his bag throughout. He moved Deommodore Lenoir inside to nickel and Ambry Thomas outside, benching the vulnerable Isaiah Oliver. The secondary played press-man coverage to enable the pass rush to get home for five sacks on Trevor Lawrence.
Empowering the pass rush allows this defense to work as it was built.
By taking Oliver off the field, I believe Wilks disrupted Doug Pederson’s game plan. The Jags have been targeting Travis Etienne Jr. in the passing game and may have planned for him to line up on Oliver in the slot. With that matchup unexpectedly taken away, Pederson barely threw to Etienne, with only two catches for nine yards.
Trent Williams – The soul of the team provided leadership and inspiration by playing in this one and playing well. Williams was a game-time decision. After the game, he said he was 75-80%. Plays that went nowhere in the last two weeks were suddenly five-to-ten-yard gains. Williams was out front making plays all game long.
Brock Purdy – Purdy was savvy in the pocket, standing up against pressure to make the deep touchdown throw to George Kittle that sealed the game, also evading pressure, and rolling out for scores. He was accurate, and with a few exceptions, made smart decisions with the ball. Purdy continues to build an effective rapport with Brandon Aiyuk and Kittle.
George Kittle – Three catches for 116 yards including a 66-yard touchdown. Kittle is making the most of getting more targets and was an essential blocker in the running game as well.
John Lynch, Chase Young, Javon Hargrave, and Nick Bosa – Lynch made the aggressive deadline move for Young, and the overwhelmed Jacksonville offensive line could not account for the new edge, creating opportunities for Hargrave and Bosa. Young had half a sack on a play that led to a strip sack fumble recovery by Bosa. Hargrave and Bosa both had 1.5 sacks and flushed out Lawrence for sacks by others.
Kyle Shanahan – His team reeling from three straight losses, Shanahan had the team focused, motivated, and prepared as they steamrolled the Jags.
LESSONS FROM THE GAME
This is the level of focus and effort needed for the rest of the year – The Niners now see what they are capable of at maximum focus and effort, and what happens when they don’t bring that. No more resting on laurels and flipping light switches on and off. The light switch is on and needs to stay there. The Niners’ recent history in the second half of the last few years indicates they will do precisely that.
Doug Pederson was caught flatfooted – The Jags barely passing to Etienne was inexcusable, but that can happen when the guy they planned to torch in Isaiah Oliver was sitting on the bench. Jacksonville didn’t pivot by then going after Ambry Thomas until the game was already over. The Jaguars also had no plan for dealing with Chase Young. Pederson was completely outcoached.
The vital importance of Trent Williams – The Niners' three losses are in games where Williams got hurt or didn’t play. Many will disagree, but I believe Williams is the team’s most essential player, it is exceptionally difficult to win without him. He is the engine of the running game, which sets the balance the passing game depends upon. Williams is the foundation of Shanahan's scheme.
LOOKING AHEAD
Wilks' decision to go with press-man coverage and Lenoir at nickel caught the Jags sleeping, but now it’s on film. Tampa will know Thomas is out there and will challenge him with four-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans.
I believe the Niners need to get Darrell Luter Jr. and Samuel Womack ready to go as soon as they can. Thomas made a great play on the strip fumble, but he can be beaten deep.
This critical win sets the Niners on a path to go at least 11-6, which should win the division. If they split with Seattle and lose to Philadelphia and Baltimore they still beat the Seahawks on the division record tiebreaker since Seattle lost to the Rams in the opener.
This win coming out of a bye illustrates the importance of rest. An additional goal the Niners should have is to win the division to the point where they can rest starters in the 17th game against the Rams.
Rest will also be key against Tampa. The Niners play Tampa at home on Sunday and then go up to Seattle on Thanksgiving night. As a Thursday night game that means both teams play three games in 12 days, increasing the injury risk. Being Seattle, the forecast is what you’d expect, rain with a high of 47 and a low of 36.
If the Niners can put Tampa away early enough to rest starters in the 4th that would help them get a little less wear and tear before going to Seattle.
