San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 plays from the 2018 NFL season

49ers top play No. 1

The previous play, while somewhat routine in nature, found its deserving spot near the top of our list mostly based on its significance to the 49ers’ franchise.

By contrast, the San Francisco 49ers’ top play of the 2018 NFL season was truly one-of-a-kind. But this amazing play was also quite meaningful for the two players involved, as the highlight play helped transform Mullens’ image from mere training camp fodder into a viable NFL starting quarterback, and it continued to establish Kittle as one of the premier players at his position.

After the initial adrenaline rush of Mullens’ first NFL action likely wore off at halftime, the one-win 49ers began the second half of Week 9 with the ball and a two-score lead. You would expect a first-time quarterback to play it safe in this situation.

Mullens did not.

On second-and-12, the 49ers’ third-string quarterback took the snap and hit the back of his drop, but was quickly forced back by the Raiders’ defensive line. Mullens made the correct read as Kittle broke open to the inside, but the young QB was late and off-balance due to the oncoming pass rush, which turned an easy pitch-and-catch into a dangerous pass attempt with little chance for success.

But that didn’t stop Mullens — and Kittle — from making the play of the 2018 season.

The 6-foot-1 quarterback’s jump-pass off his back foot found its way between four converging Oakland defenders and into the outstretched arm of his tight end, who corralled the pass before sprinting downfield.

Kittle hit a top speed of 20 miles per hour on his 71-yard catch-and-run.

And he caught the ball with his eyes closed:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1058177658817638400

Kittle was finally brought down just before he reached the goal line, but in his ongoing efforts to appease his fantasy football owners, the San Francisco 49ers’ most valuable player in 2018 found the end zone just two plays later.

Although San Francisco didn’t give the 49ers Faithful the number of victories they desired this season, the highlights in 2018 were plentiful. Hopefully, the San Francisco 49ers will provide more of both in 2019.