49ers grades from playoff-clinching overtime win vs. Rams

49ers Offensive Grades vs. Rams

At one point in the game, San Francisco was being outgained by Los Angeles 136 yards to minus-3.

Yes, the 49ers were in the negative, impacted by multiple drives where Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. were moving in the wrong direction, ultimately leading to the Rams’ sizable 17-0 lead.

Just like the entire momentum of the game, however, Garoppolo and the offense turned things around just before halftime and then afterwards.

Quarterback: B-

First-half Garoppolo? An F-grade would suffice. Second-half/OT Garoppolo? Probably a B-plus.

About the only gaffe from Jimmy G in the second half was his interception thrown in the red zone, targeting tight end George Kittle where he was triple-covered, cornerback Jalen Ramsey picking Garoppolo off. And LA turned that turnover into seven points.

Garoppolo could have hit wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the end zone in overtime, too. Instead, he went for Kittle, who fell short of the goal line and forced what turned into the game-winning field goal.

All in all, though, Garoppolo rebounded after an atrocious start, finishing the game by going 23-of-32 for 316 yards, a passing touchdown to wide receiver Jauan Jennings to tie things up in the fourth quarter, two interceptions and a passer rating of 87.5.

Most importantly, Garoppolo bucked the narrative of the 49ers always losing when he throws an interception.

They’re now 2-6.

Running Back: B

Granted, it was tough for both the Niners and Rams to establish their respective run games early, and LA entered the game allowing just 3.9 yards per carry anyway.

So it has to be viewed as something of an accomplishment running back Elijah Mitchell mustered 85 yards on 21 carries, while Kyle Shanahan’s ground game had 31 attempts for 135 rush yards, playing a massive role in the team’s second-half comeback.

Wide Receiver: A+

If there ever was a game when San Francisco’s wideouts needed to bail out Garoppolo, it was this one.

Samuel was his usual awesome self, rushing in a 16-yard touchdown and posting 95 receiving yards in his own right. Yet Samuel’s incredible 26-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings to tie things up at 17 apiece was absolutely amazing:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1480316355790340096

Read More: Deebo Samuel ties things up vs. Rams with crazy passing TD

That was just one of two touchdown catches Jennings had during the game, as he finished with a career-best 94 yards on six catches with the two scores.

All the while, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk quietly led all 49ers pass-catchers with six catches for 107 yards.

Outstanding net performance from this group.

Tight End: C-

We can somewhat forgive Kittle for not having a bigger statistical impact, as it seemed LA was intent on taking him out of the offensive game plan.

Kittle only had 10 yards on five catches and seven attempts, and Los Angeles did a good job limiting him in the yards-after-the-catch department.

He won’t care, though.

Offensive Line: B

The Niners potentially took a massive hit with left tackle Trent Williams missing the game with an elbow injury, forcing second-year lineman Colton McKivitz into his first offensive snaps of the season in Williams’ stead.

It wasn’t perfect, particularly against a talented Rams defensive front, and Garoppolo was sacked three times, and the offensive line was hit with three holding penalties.

Still, this group began to impose its will, particularly in run support during the second half, and that’s all that should be asked from players like McKivitz in that kind of context.

Good job overall.