Three Takeaways From Week Ten
The San Francisco 49ers are above .500 once again following their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Here are three takeaways from the win for the 5-4 Niners.
49ers Second Half Defense Comes Through Again
The 49ers have won two games in a row by defeating both Los Angeles teams, the Rams and Chargers. Against the Rams in Week Nine on the road, the Niners’ defense didn’t allow a single score in the second half of the game. That remained the same this Sunday against the Chargers as the defense shut out Justin Herbert and his offense.
The Niners started the game out looking like they were going to be torched all night by a bunch of backup wide receivers with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton all out due to injury. The 49ers’ defense allowed an opening drive touchdown and a few other drives for the Chargers seemed to fall through due to bad drops from certain pass catchers early in the game.
However, DeMeco Ryans seems to have found his groove when it comes to halftime adjustments. With their defense still shorthanded, especially on the defensive line with Armstead, Kinlaw and Ebukam out, Ryans sent the blitz at Justin Herbert to make sure the defense applied pressure and it worked. The second half was impressive although it is important to remember that Justin Herbert was throwing to a bunch of reserves.
Elijah Mitchell Might Be The Best RB2 In Football
Running back Elijah Mitchell who started the majority of the games last season entered this year as the starter as well. Mitchell was playing very well in the season opener against Chicago this year, but then he suffered an injury that sidelined him for the last couple of months. Last night in his return from injury, Mitchell was vital in securing the victory.
Mitchell found more success than Christian McCaffrey running the football. They both have a burst to their game that the 49ers just didn’t have in Jeff Wilson who was just traded to the Miami Dolphins. With Mitchell in the mix running like a starting back, it does a lot for the offense and Jimmy Garoppolo to be able to just keep pounding the rock on teams. It also allows the 49ers to not have to run McCaffrey into the ground like he is back in Carolina.
If Mitchell replicates his production from last year, but as a backup running back then the 49ers truly have a deadly two-headed monster in the rushing attack. When Trey Lance returns to action next season the threat of the zone read is going to be a serious three-headed monster and painful to game plan against for opposing defenses. Mitchell’s presence in the offense was clearly missed the last couple of months.
Jauan Jennings Looked Like 2021 Jennings
One of the 49ers’ shortcomings on offense this season has simply been catching the football. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings has had issues with drops since training camp this off-season. Jennings entered last night’s game leading the team in drop percentage, dropping approximately 20 percent of his targets this season. However, Jennings came through last night on multiple occasions in crucial moments.
Jennings finished the contest with four receptions for 40 yards. If Jennings can consistently be the third-down safety blanket, then the Niners’ offense is in very good shape. The 49ers however are still in the mix to sign Odell Beckham Jr. according to Adam Schefter. Beckham Jr. has narrowed down his list of potential teams to the 49ers, Bills, Chiefs, Cowboys and Giants. If San Francisco can bring him in, he will more than likely take some of those targets away from Jennings for the rest of the season.
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