Grades, analysis from 49ers ‘get right’ win over division rival Rams

In Week 4, the 49ers needed to right the ship, and they did just that with a 24-9 win over the Rams. Here are grades from their statement performance.

The San Francisco 49ers were in as precarious a position a team could be in Week 4: down major players due to injuries, 1-2 after a disappointing (to say the least) loss, and in danger of having their trajectory as conference contenders heavily diminished.

They needed to right the ship.

On paper, it was a bad team to face: the 2-1 defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, fresh off an easy victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

But the Niners have always gotten themselves back on track against the Rams in the regular season, and this Week 4 matchup was no different.

The Rams marched down the field with relative ease on their first drive but scored only a field goal, bested by San Francisco’s own opening drive that ended with a Jeff Wilson Jr. touchdown.

From there, the story of the game was the 49ers defense coming to play and the offense being able to shoulder its weight.

A highlight touchdown by Deebo Samuel gave the Niners an eight-point lead, a margin they would keep for the majority of the game until Talanoa Hufanga picked off Matthew Stafford to put San Francisco up double digits.

It was the blueprint that the 49ers knew they would follow this year: a championship-caliber defense being augmented with an efficient and capable offense.

Here’s how the position groups graded from the game.

49ers offensive grades vs. Rams

Quarterback

After last week’s fiasco, anything would have been an improvement. And while Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t light the world on fire, he showcased the baseline competency necessary for the Niners defense to win a game.

If that description is vague and demeaning, it’s not meant to be. At this point, Garoppolo is largely defined as a player. This type of performance is his average, and it’s one San Francisco will take. It’s just not one to overhype: 16-of-27 for 239 yards and a touchdown that came off short quick passes.

That’ll play.

Grade: B-

Running Backs

The 49ers eschewed their running back-by-committee approach, giving 19 of their 23 carries to Jeff Wilson Jr., a fruitful decision.

Wilson played with a good pace, scoring an opening drive touchdown and generally playing his role well.

And 4.1 yards per carry will always play.

Grade: B+

Wide Receivers

What more can be written about the sheer individual brilliance that is Deebo Samuel? His capacity to break any play off into a huge one is unmatched in the league, and his physicality at the receiver position is a weapon unto itself.

His touchdown was a textbook example of what makes Deebo, well… Deebo:

The other receivers were equally productive when called upon, with the exception of a couple drops. It was a good day at the office for the receivers, exemplified by their shining star.

Grade: A

Tight Ends

George Kittle‘s usage in the pass game has become a legitimate question. Whether it’s a factor of scheming up calls for him or Garoppolo simply missing him, four targets for, at worst, the fourth-best tight end in the league is inexcusable.

His blocking was great, but it’s hard to grade a player who simply doesn’t get opportunities to showcase themselves.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

The 49ers offensive line made it work without stalwart tackle Trent Williams, but that doesn’t mean it was always pretty. The play in the passing game looked clean for the most part, a product of a quick game offense and a good effort up front. And the play in the run game had its warts but held up over the course of 60 minutes.

Nothing to write home about, but nothing to scoff at either.

Grade: C+

49ers defensive grades vs. Rams

Defensive Line

Six sacks, 11 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, allowing only 3.2 yards per carry on the ground… a masterpiece by the 49ers defensive line, led by its star, Nick Bosa.

There’s little to be said when a unit is this dominant. Just know it’s not a one-time occurence.

Grade: A+

Linebackers

The Niners linebackers continue to lack the flashy plays, but they also continue to do what is necessary to win every week in and out. Tackle numbers are not inherently a sign of good linebacker play, but when your top two linebackers get 15 and nine apiece, and the team wins a defensive masterpiece, it’s a sign they were active and aggressive.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Cooper Kupp had 14 catches for 122 yards on 19 targets. That should mitigate a lot of praise for this secondary, but yet it becomes a happy footnote. The secondary came up strong when it had to, resulting in more paper cuts than gashes from the Rams.

San Francisco not allowing a 20-yard play the entire game is proof of the discipline. Then, when adding in the superb play by Talanoa Hufanga on his pick-six, a remarkable display of athletic ability and pure football acumen, this grade is deservedly high.

Grade: A-

49ers special teams and coaching grades vs. Rams

49ers Special Teams Grades

Robbie Gould’s missed field goal could have resulted in a tricky situation for San Francisco, but the defense took care of it otherwise.

In all, it was an unremarkable day for the special teams unit, a good sign for a team often maligned with the third phase of the day. Stealing yards, either with good punt coverage or smart returns, can make a big difference.

Grade: B-

49ers Coaching Grades

Demeco Ryans is probably the best defensive coordinator in the league, and he called a masterclass. Kyle Shanahan called a gameplan that mitigated his team’s biggest offensive weaknesses.

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That all was good to great.

The situational calling, though, was lacking from Shanahan. Head coach decisions should be evaluated on process, not results, and the process was not great. Choosing not to go for it on 4th-and-goal, punting at mid-field, and not taking shot plays when in favorable situations; Shanahan made his decisions accounting for a stellar defense in a way that left the door open.

The benefits of a defense that can shut everyone down is the opportunity to be aggressive. It worked out this game, but it won’t always.

Grade: B (A+ for defensive game plan, B+ for offensive gameplan, D+ for situational decisions)

The 49ers will try to start a winning streak against the Panthers.