49ers studs and duds from strong Week 8 victory vs. Rams

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Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, NFL standings

Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Stud: Brandon Aiyuk

While Christian McCaffrey took care of business in the backfield, the 49ers desperately needed someone to step up with receivers Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings both out of Week 8.

Tight end George Kittle was his usual dependable self, but he didn’t have a game where you would say it was among his best.

But someone who did stand up was Brandon Aiyuk, as he’s shown even more signs that he can be an excellent No. 1 receiver in his own right.

Aiyuk finished the game with six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown (the pass by Christian McCaffrey) and repeatedly stepped up with nifty moves to get the extra yardage that’s a must on a passing offense that’s predicated on yards after the catch.

Aiyuk won’t ever be a true No. 1 receiver in the kind of offense the Niners run, especially with Samuel taking the mantle of the alpha, but Aiyuk has grown a lot since being in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse to begin last season and has turned into a reliable outlet for San Francisco and held down the fort for this game.