Game grades from 49ers resilient divisional round win over Packers
49ers Special Teams and Coaching Grades
49ers Special Teams
The 49ers special teams have been atrocious for the entire year. Waves of momentum undone by a poor play by the third phase of the game. But against the Packers, special teams won the game.
First, it was a blocked field goal by Jimmie Ward that kept the 49ers only down 7 heading into halftime. Then it was Deebo Samuel on the kick-return out of halftime to give the 49ers the ball near midfield. Then it was Jordan Willis with the play of his life, blocking a punt that Talanoa Hufanga recovered for a touchdown. And finally, it was Robbie Gould, kicking a game-winning field goal in 10 mph winds and subzero temperatures. Special teams won the 49ers a football game.
Grade: A++
49ers Coaching
DeMeco Ryans has been receiving interest as a head coaching candidate despite it being his first year as a coordinator, and this game was the best proof of concept he could have. He held the likely NFL MVP and the #1 seed Green Bay Packers offense to 10 points with masterful scheme corrections and adjustments after Green Bay gashed the 49ers.
Shanahan’s offensive playcalling was decidedly less stellar. The 49ers run game was inefficient and the 49ers passing attack was ineffective, and that reflected on the plays Shanahan called as well. Nothing worked, from play-caller to play-executors.
Shanahan’s in-game decisions were also questionable, though to a minor degree. He took a timeout to try to get the ball back at the end of the first half – good aggressiveness. Aaron Rodgers nearly scored a touchdown and luckily, the end of half field goal was blocked. He went for it on 4th-and-1 – an obvious decision. The play call was questionable, though it could have worked – less good.
Grade: B (Demeco: A+, Kyle: C)
Next. Jimmy Garoppolo was good enough vs. Packers to extend 49ers season. dark
There were good and bad all around, but the only thing that matters – the San Francisco 49ers will play in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday. A win’s a win, and the 49ers just need two more.