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

49ers top play No. 9

Wide receiver Dante Pettis played the best game of his rookie season against the 49ers’ biggest rival, the Seattle Seahawks. His breakout performance in Week 13 was highlighted by a long catch-and-run touchdown in top play No. 9.

With both Goodwin and Garcon sidelined due to injury, Pettis was forced into extensive action, as Shanahan featured the rookie as the Niners’ top wide receiver for much of the second half of the 2018 season.

Pettis responded well to the challenge. Beginning in Week 12, Pettis averaged 85 receiving yards and a touchdown over his next four starts, before his season was cut short due to a minor knee injury in Week 16.

With an earlier touchdown under his belt, Pettis went for his second score of the day on the 49ers’ first play of the fourth quarter. The long catch-and-run required more than just speed and route-running skills — it also required veteran savvy and trust between the rookie wideout and his first-year quarterback Mullens.

Prior to the snap, wide receiver Trent Taylor motioned toward the formation. In response, Seahawks safety Tedric Thompson moved up toward the line-of-scrimmage and into the path of Pettis’ slant route.

But with Thompson vacating the deep area of the field, a void was created for Pettis down the seam. Pettis decided to extend his route, hoping his young quarterback would recognize the Seahawks’ coverage and the opportunity for a big play.

Mullens did, and hit his receiver with a 20-yard strike down the left hash. Pettis would do the rest, as the shifty open-field runner took it the distance for a 75-yard touchdown: