49ers vs. Titans: Biggest studs, duds from flop of a Week 16 loss

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) is tackled by Tennessee Titans safety Dane Cruikshank (29) Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Stud: Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel

If the Niners were going to cough up the game, no one told Deebo Samuel, who again put himself back in the running for most all-purpose yards in the NFL this season.

Samuel was electrifying, to no one’s surprise, as he finally got back into the fray as a top-end receiving weapon, hauling in 159 yards on nine receptions, including this 56-yard catch and run that set up San Francisco’s late game-tying touchdown:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1474227720582098952

If that wasn’t enough, Samuel continued his prowess as a legitimate rushing threat, tacking on an additional 32 yards on five carries while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt against a Titans defense that was allowing an average of only 3.9 entering the game.

Truly impressive. Too bad Samuel’s efforts weren’t quite enough to put the 49ers over the top.

They should have been, had it not been for the Niners’ gaffes elsewhere.