49ers position grades, analysis from Week 16 win vs. Rams

49ers defensive grades

The defensive line was short on sacks and only pressured Jared Goff three times, but strong run defense and some stronger performances in the second half saved the grade here.

Kentavius Street, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas all recorded tackles for loss, while Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead were getting great penetration.

Armstead and Jeremiah Valoaga also had pass deflections, Armstead’s being a smart move where he peeled off to bat away a screen.

The issue with the 49ers was their complete inability to handle the play-action passes and screens thrown at them, and the primary reason for that was the linebackers were often caught out.

People, however, will mostly remember this play:

It was a big play which gave the 49ers the lead for the first time and gave Fred Warner a highlight for the 2019 season, but it’s only a glossy finish to what was a generally lackluster product for the first half.

They were better in the second half and were able to slow it down, but it still wasn’t the best game for them.

Play action fooled the defensive backs, too, and while like the linebackers they picked it up after the first half, they didn’t make many highlight plays.

Marcell Harris had a chance to intercept Goff late, but dropped the easiest interception he could have possibly dreamed of. It was a hard game for Harris, who had a personal foul against him for hitting the quarterback in a harsh, and unfortunately correct call.

That being said, the Rams were slowed down in the second half and a lot of throws were underneath coverage, so it wasn’t a totally awful day for the defensive backs as much as it was just a bit below average.