49ers get good game grades from complete win over Falcons

The 49ers needed to take care of business against the Falcons, and they did so, winning 31-13. Niner Noise hands out grades from the win.

The San Francisco 49ers have had a propensity of playing around the level of their opponent for much of the 2021 season. That means they can be a challenge against any team, capable of going toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of the NFL as they boast their own blue-chip players.

But it also means games that should be “gimmes” turn into close affairs.

Heading into Week 15, the Niners were not in a position to let up against the Atlanta Falcons, who entering the game at 6-7, were still sitting precariously in a crowded playoff picture.

A playoff picture head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. were also looking to hang onto in what could have a lot of implications for seeding in only a few weeks.

Luckily San Francisco came to play, winning 31-13 in an almost complete full-team effort that saw the offense get out to a strong rhythm with star players making impacts. And a 49ers defense that made life extremely difficult on whatever Atlanta wanted to do on offense.

Certainly not a case of the Niners playing down to the level of their opponents, as this was a well-rounded victory in nearly every facet of the phrase.

Niner Noise hands out position grades from the performance, and thankfully, they’re pretty good.

49ers Offensive Grades vs. Falcons

When San Francisco was able to establish a type of rhythm, it fired on all cylinders. A thorough performance from top to bottom.

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garoppolo played an exceptional game against the Falcons. Did the Falcons come into the game with a menacing defense? No. This was a game the 49ers offense needed to perform in, and they did just that.

There were no boneheaded interceptions, no egregiously misplaced passes, no absurd overthrows. It was smooth, efficient, and in some cases, valuably aggressive. Garoppolo attacked the middle of the field with enough depth to stretch the defense, and he was generally good with where to go with the football.

It wasn’t a performance for the ages, but without question, it was a quality performance that deserves its praise. A throw like this to Jauan Jennings looks simple enough but showcases exactly what the Niners need from Garoppolo:

Garoppolo finished with 235 yards and a touchdown.

Grade: A-

Running Backs

Another critical question for San Francisco was whether the running game, which had blossomed under the usage of Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel but floundered when either player was no longer available.

Question answered.

In signs reminiscent of his play last year, Jeff Wilson Jr. rushed for 110 yards on 21 carriers, toting the ball at 5.5 yards per carry. That’s efficiency and volume mixed in its finest.

JaMycal Hasty, who had a terrible day on special teams, did had one carry for 13, and Kyle Juszcyzk had a touchdown run.

The running game was efficient for the most part, and the running backs did their job and then some.

Grade: A

Wide Receivers

Samuel’s multi-faceted usage continues to drive the 49ers offense, as he finished with 60 yards receiving and 29 yards rushing as well as a touchdown on the ground. With his ability to attack any part of the field from any position in the formation, he has made this offense dangerous.

Jennings caught three balls for 28 yards, showcasing an added dimension for a Niners offense, and although Brandon Aiyuk only had the one reception, his complete performance was exactly what San Francisco needed in this game.

A couple drops mar this performance, but by and large, well done by the 49ers receiving corps.

Grade: B+

Tight Ends

George Kittle had his worst game of the last three weeks by a long shot, a “lowly” six receptions for 93 yards after having back-to-back 150-yard games in the previous two weeks.

OK, yes, that’s a good game from Kittle, and he was generally dominant throughout the entire game in every element. The fact that both statements are completely true is why Kittle is one of the best tight ends in football.

His involvement in the offense has given the Niners a dimension they have sorely missed. It’s a good sign the “People’s Tight End” is truly back in business.

Grade: A+

Offensive Line

San Francisco’s offensive line played a remarkably clean game. On the ground, it mauled, paving lanes for Wilson. In pass protection, there were some slight issues, but most of the times Garoppolo faced real pressure came from either his own movement around the pocket or a blitz, which he dealt with well.

Pockets were clean, and the offense was a well-oiled machine as a result.

Grade: B+

49ers Defensive Grades vs. Falcons

The 49ers defense came to play, and despite a couple issues in the secondary, this side of the ball proved it, dominating the trenches and the second level whenever possible.

Defensive Line

The Niners ended the game with three sacks, which should have been four when considering Arden Key’s sack that was incorrectly and terribly called roughing the passer.

Still, this unit held the Falcons’ rushing attack to a 2.7 yards-per-carry clip, all but limiting hybrid offensive weapon Cordarrelle Patterson. San Francisco’s defensive line held firm in the red zone when having to hold the line of scrimmage, and Atlanta went just 1-of-5 with touchdowns here.

The D-line played phenomenal all around.

Special attention should be given to Key, who has truly emerged as an interior rushing presence that perfectly complements fellow linemen Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa.

But everyone on the line had a positive impact on this game.

Grade: A+

Linebackers

The 49ers linebackers as a whole didn’t have the flashy performance Azeez Al-Shaair had two weeks ago, but they were fundamentally solid and always in position. Fred Warner had arguably his best game of the season, providing strong support in the run and pass game. He was always around the ball and always there to make a play.

Despite the fact that the 49ers” second and third linebackers behind Warner were both out, you could hardly notice a difference on the field.

That’s a testament to the entire position group.

Grade: A

Secondary

The Niners’ safeties were phenomenal. Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward both made game-changing plays, and even when they weren’t pressed up against their end zone, they made the plays necessary to win the game.

A thoroughly underrated duo, this tandem deserves all the praise from the game.

The cornerbacks, though, were more of a mixed bag.

Ambry Thomas was in position multiple times to make a play, but he never managed to actually make a play on the ball, making interceptions almost completions and pass-breakups easy touchdowns. The rookie clearly had issues making plays in the air, and it cost San Francisco. Josh Norman didn’t play much better on the other end, but luckily the 49ers defense was so dominant overall, there weren’t huge issues because of the secondary.

Grade: B

49ers Special Teams and Coaching vs. Falcons

Special Teams

The Niners special teams were horrendous again.

For the second time in three weeks, turnovers in the return game coupled with failures in punting and return coverage left San Francisco behind the 8-ball in the third phase of the game. It cost the 49ers a few weeks ago against the Seattle Seahawks, and luckily, it didn’t against Atlanta.

Despite JaMycal Hasty’s fumbled kickoff return right out of the gate, poor kick coverage and short punts and kickoffs.

But legitimate contenders, which the 49ers aspire to be, do not lose points, possessions, or advantages because of special teams.

It is something that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

Grade: F

Coaching

The Niners came into this game knowing they were the better team, and despite special teams threatening the affair, they did what they needed to do.

Kyle Shanahan’s offensive plan was electric and efficient, although as the fourth quarter came around, it became stagnant, although this didn’t impact the outcome of the game.

Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans had the perfect calls on the goal line and put his players, for the most part, in position to succeed.

Players have to make plays, and San Francisco’s coaches put their players in positions to make those plays.

Grade: A-