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49ers vs. Colts: Grading San Francisco’s efforts

By Logan Stanley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during the first quarter of a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

Quarterback

At last! A thoroughly superb game from quarterback Brian Hoyer. There were a few passes that should have been intercepted, and Hoyer did miss on some throws. But besides that, Hoyer played a really good game.

Hoyer finished 29-46 passing for 353 yards and two touchdowns. It was his best game as the quarterback for the 49ers, and the lack of turnovers was a pleasant surprise. The deep ball was in the works and Hoyer was able to find wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for a pair of big gains, this being one of them:

Grade: A-

Running back

Coming into Week 5, running back Carlos Hyde was in the top 10 for most rushing yards. All season, Hyde’s been one of the best players on the offense. That all came to a screeching halt against the Colts.

Hyde failed to get the ball going, only running the ball eight times for 11 yards. It resulted in a “coach’s decision” to sideline Hyde and go with rookie running back Matt Breida. Obviously, Hyde was not happy about it following the game (via Matt Barrows).

"That wasn’t injury-related, Hyde said. That was just the coach’s call. … I don’t like it, but my boy, Matt, he’s a good back. So he did a good job going in there and making plays and stuff."

It was easily the worst game of the season for Hyde. The future seems to be far more uncertain surrounding Hyde than it did just a few days ago.

As for Breida, the rookie played well with the snap increase. Breida had 10 carries for 49 yards and three receptions for 22 yards.

Grade: C

Wide receivers/Tight end

For the first time this season, a trio of pass catchers for the 49ers had effective games. For the wide receivers, Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garçon were hard to stop all game.

Goodwin had five receptions for 116 yards and Garçon hauled in eight receptions for 94 yards. They were each the two highest graded wide receivers, with Goodwin earning a 80.9 PFF grade and Garçon earning a 77.9 PFF grade.

Here’s what PFF had to say about them in their “Refocused” article:

"It looks like San Francisco finally has some balance in the receiving corps. Garçon is outstanding on intermediate routes and is complemented nicely by Goodwin’s speed … He [Goodwin] made an outstanding grab downfield, earning 56 yards on a single play. The pair represents building blocks for the 49ers’ limited offense."

At tight end, rookie George Kittle officially had his coming-out party. The first-year player out of Iowa dazzled for the game and was clutch when it mattered the most. On the final drive in regulation, Kittle had five receptions for 73 yards and the game-tying touchdown.

For the game, Kittle had seven receptions for 83 yards and that crucial touchdown. It was truly a breakout game from the rookie, who displayed some of his skill that generated offseason hype.

Fullback — offensive weapon is more appropriate — Kyle Juszczyk scored his first touchdown of the season on a six-yard shovel pass in the fourth quarter.

Grade: A