Jaguars vs. 49ers: Week 16 San Francisco grades and analysis

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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Defensive Grades

The 49ers defense was going to have a challenge facing rookie running back Leonard Fournette, as the Jaguars aren’t exactly a pass-first team with Blake Bortles under center.

Overall, the defense did its job here, holding Fournette to an average of 2.7 yards per attempt on 18 carries.

In total, San Francisco gave up 472 total yards to Fournette and Jacksonville’s offense. The Jaguars went 5-of-13 on third downs and managed 32 first downs. Aside from the third-down percentage, those aren’t good numbers. But San Francisco managed to force three key turnovers, while also taking advantage of costly Jaguars penalties.

Defensive Line

The Niners were going to have some success if the defensive line was able to limit Fournette, and that was certainly the case.

This unit wasn’t able to generate too much of a pass rush, which has been an issue all season, although rookie defensive end Solomon Thomas picked up a sack and the entire unit registered five quarterback hits.

Getting to Bortles would have been nice, but credit the D-line for holding its own against the run.

Grade: B-

Linebacker

Watching linebacker Reuben Foster fly around and be reintroduced to Fournette — remember their time against each other in college?

Foster finished with five tackles, including one for a loss, while fellow linebacker Brock Coyle led the defense with eight tackles.

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

There were a number of open seams within the second level, though, and not even Foster could cover the intermediate areas of the field.

This is part of the reason why Jacksonville mustered up a lot of yardage, especially late, indicating the 49ers defense bent a lot.

But it didn’t break.

Grade: C

Secondary

The 49ers need an upgrade over No. 2 cornerback Dontae Johnson this offseason.

Sure, his pick-six interception for a touchdown in the first half was nice, and it only added to the Niners’ early momentum:

But Johnson was victimized regularly, giving up a key reception to Jaguars wideout Keelan Cole that set up a Jags touchdown.

Oh, and penalties continued to be a problem too.

Fortunately, nickel corner K’Waun Williams arguably had his best game as a member of the 49ers. He had a pick that led to a San Francisco touchdown. And rookie corner Ahkello Witherspoon added to Bortles’ interception numbers too.

Grade: C+