49ers grades, position analysis from Week 11 win vs. Cardinals

49ers Week 11 Special Teams/Coaching Grades

Special teams and coaching was pretty good for the most part, overcoming some initial difficulties to have a positive day overall.

Richie James did well on kickoff returns, often getting the 49ers good field position. He had less room on punt returns, however.

There was no pressure kicks for Chase McLaughlin this week, and he was perfect on the day with a 43-yard field goal and all three extra points converted. It’s a shame he had a shank on a potential winning kick, as he’s otherwise been perfect for the 49ers.

Mitch Wishnowsky wasn’t called on much, but he made sure to switch the field position when called upon averaging 50.5 yards on his two punts.

All in all, everyone did what they had to do.

It was a slow start for both head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, but both of them recovered after a tough first quarter.

Shanahan gave up on the running game, but used it just enough to keep the Arizona defense honest. Subsequently, they were able to use play action to freeze the Cardinals, thereby making strides in the passing game.

He trusted his quarterback, and was rewarded for it.

Saleh would recover from the early onslaught, and adjust his defense to the tempo. Reserves such as Taylor, Moore and Reed made plays, and the Cardinals offense mostly went still in the second half.

While not perfect, they really impressed. The 49ers move to 9-1, and a winning record is now assured.