49ers grades, analysis from defense-dominant shutout win vs. Saints

49ers grades: Special teams/coaching

Special teams

Not much to say here. Kicker Robbie Gould hit every one of his attempts, punter Mitch Wishnowsky punted well on the day and the 49ers covered kick and punt returns well.

Ray-Ray McCloud did not try to take his sole kick return out, and his two punt returns were fine.

Grade: B+

Coaching

Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans called a fantastic game, keeping the Saints in check and adding this shutout to his head coaching resume. He did need some luck in his favor such as a missed field goal and the Saints failing to convert any points in the red zone, but hey, sometimes you just need to be lucky.

The bottom line, the 49ers have not conceded a point in the last six quarters and they haven’t conceded a point in the second half of their last four games.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn’t able to break the run game open today which was a concern, as the Niners offense stuttered without it. I was surprised he didn’t try one of his patented sweeps to Deebo Samuel to try to break it open that way, as well as not calling for a Jimmy Garoppolo sneak on the short-distance 4th-and-goal.

At least the defense held up its end.

Grade: B-