Game grades, analysis from cathartic 49ers beatdown over rival Rams
49ers Offensive Grades vs. Rams
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo played his best game as a Niner in recent memory. Beyond a couple of questionable throws that weren’t picked off, he was efficient and accurate.
Grading Garoppolo this year is a relative process. Expectations of him single-handedly creating offense like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen are unreasonable, but for what he can do, he did it incredibly well. And 235 yards with a couple of touchdowns is an impressive day at the office.
There were quick throws, smart decisions, and a few impressive tosses. While there are always needed improvements, particularly in being willing to trigger when pressure is coming near, and a little more anticipation on the deep throw to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, the 49ers will take this play from Garoppolo every Sunday.
Grade: A-
Running Backs
San Francisco won because it traded for Christian McCaffrey.
Rarely does one player alone determine the outcome of a game, but McCaffrey single-handedly provided a spark for the offense. He was the first 49ers player ever to complete the “Triple Crown:” one rushing touchdown, one receiving touchdown, and one passing touchdown.
A game that looks like this is inconceivable:
Christian McCaffrey became just the 4th player since the merger to rush, catch and throw for a touchdown in the same game.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 30, 2022
McCaffrey gained a season-high +29 rushing yards over expected and added +12 YAC over expected to his league-leading +163 YACOE in 2022.#SFvsLAR | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/ixTjny3wt2
Jeff Wilson Jr. wasn’t too shabby himself in the two-back sets the 49ers were running, creating a powerful one-two punch that sparked their rushing offense.
Dominant stuff.
Grade: A+
Wide Receivers
The game was all about the ground, but quietly the Niners’ receiving core, severely injured, played well.
The production mostly came from Brandon Aiyuk, whose quiet ascent into dominant receiver status has been underlooked even as he’s tallied more than 80 yards in the last three weeks, including three touchdowns in that timeframe.
No other receivers were truly involved, with the only other two receiver targets going to McCloud, but Aiyuk more than carried the load.
Grade: A
Tight Ends
George Kittle got into the end-zone, Ross Dwelley had a huge reception, and San Francisco’s tight ends cleaned up shop run-blocking.
Not more needs to be said, they fixed what they needed to.
Grade: B+
Offensive Line
The first half saw the 49ers offensive line struggling at times, mostly ill-timed mishaps or miscues that would derail the drives. As the offense began to impose its will on Los Angeles, the offensive line equally gained confidence and dominance.
By the end of the game, they were pushing the Rams back with ease. It was a solid recovery for the unit.