49ers grades, analysis from dominant win vs. Commanders

49ers grades: Special teams/Coaching

Special teams:

With the exception of a kickoff going out of bounds, the special teams were faultless against Washington with the 49ers winning that battle easily.

Mitch Wishnowsky punted well, Robbie Gould put everything between the sticks, Ray-Ray McCloud fought hard as a returner and the coverage unit put the clamps down on the Commanders.

Special teams used to be a significant liability for San Francisco. Not anymore.

Grade: A-

Coaching:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was routinely aggressive today and trusted Brock Purdy to make the throws despite a relatively poor first half. You could be forgiven for thinking that he still harbored some resentment towards Washington, throwing it late for a first down and then running it in to somewhat run up the score (although to be fair, it also put the game well and truly beyond reach).

Shanahan was helped by the defense giving some good field position, but putting up close to 40 points despite not being exceptional on offense is a good result.

Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans will not be on the team for next season. It simply seems unfathomable that he won’t be snapped up as a head coach for 2023. He seems incapable of having a bad game.

Grade: A+