3 reasons why 49ers defeated Rams in crucial Week 18 game

No. 1: 49ers let Deebo Samuel do Deebo Samuel-like things

What else can be said about Deebo Samuel that hasn’t already been said?

Coming into the year, the 49ers knew they had a special player. The Faithful also knew Samuel was a talented receiver with speed and strength, but many still saw him as a high-end gadget player.

This season, Samuel has completely rewritten that narrative.

Samuel’s 2021 campaign has been one of athletic, punishing runs and explosive yards-after-catch plays. In fairness, his talent has always been evident but never fully realized due to injuries. In his first full season as a massive-impact player, it’s clear to everyone Samuel is a top-three player at his position.

Err… positions.

Against Los Angeles, Samuel added quarterbacking play to his list of superhuman abilities. While Jimmy Garoppolo threw one of Jauan Jennings’ touchdowns, it was Samuel who made the other touchdown toss. Head coach Kyle Shanahan called the perfect trick play with Samuel appearing to run the ball to the right, only to stop short of the scrimmage line and tossing a beauty:

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

Samuel has been the Niners’ most valuable player this season. If San Francisco is going to make a deep run in the playoffs, it’ll need Samuel’s stellar play to continue to dominate the opposition.

Luckily, it seems the 49ers are intent on using all of his talents. Samuel ended the day with four receptions for 95 yards, eight carries for 45 yards, and one touchdown pass

He does it all, and then some.

One thing is for sure, the way the Niners are playing right now, no one wants to face them in the playoffs. Next up for the team is a Wild Card game against long-time NFC rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

Here’s to Samuel running wild and free all over Dallas!