49ers grades, analysis from nailbiting overtime win vs. Raiders

49ers grades: Offense

Quarterback:

Brock Purdy faced a certain kind of test that he never had before, could he stand up when he didn’t have a lead to defend and instead had to chase down a deficit? He wasn’t perfect and he was lucky in some throws, but he proved that he was no shrinking violet either.

Purdy finished the day with 22-from-35 passing for 284 yards, two touchdowns and an interception which was an underthrown deep ball to tight end George Kittle.

Purdy flashed some very good throws. His second touchdown in particular was exceptional, a perfect ball down the back of the endzone to Kittle where only he could get it. He also deserved credit for the poise he showed in the final drive in regulation where he got the team to within field goal range (albeit aided with a very fortunate final throw where he was hit as he threw and it floated dangerously in the air).

He also struggled a bit however, struggling to connect on the deep ball and some dangerous throws a bit lucky not to get picked off. All in all, it was probably his worst start as a 49ers.

But that’s a relative term, he still showed excellent poise and chemistry for the most part and led what was a strong offensive performance. Just not a perfect one.

Grade: B

Running backs:

Christian McCaffrey was stifled last week against a stout Washington defense, but he was back to his regular self with 19 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown to go with six receptions for 72 yards and what was almost a second touchdown. He was an excellent safety valve for Purdy, as well as ensuring the 49ers didn’t have to go purely into pass mode when they were in a deficit.

Jordan Mason had a touchdown of his own as he had 13 yards off two carries, Tyrion Davis-Price also chipped in with an impressive five yard run for a first down.

The engine room was humming strongly against the Raiders, most weeks we would not have seen an overtime game with production like this.

Grade: A+

Wide receivers:

It was the Brandon Aiyuk show today, especially in the final drive where he essentially dragged the 49ers to field goal range single-handedly. We would be talking about that final drive a lot more if the field goal had connected.

Aiyuk had nine receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. He’s going to be exceptionally tough to stop once Deebo Samuel returns to the field.

Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud had only cameo appearances as receivers but both had huge gains on the Raiders defense. Jennings had two receptions for 46 yards and McCloud had a reception for 42 yards.

Although he didn’t have a reception, rookie Danny Gray had a cameo appearance with nine yards rushing off a jet sweep.

Tight ends:

George Kittle had a relatively muted game but did find the endzone for the fifth time in three weeks, recording four receptions for 23 yards. He also had a questionable holding call against him on a running play.

Grade: B-

Offensive line:

Purdy faced some pressure but the offensive line didn’t concede any sacks and blasted open running lanes all day, which is all you can really hope for with the blocking.

Granted they played a team down several key defenders, but they did the job they had to do. The only downside is a suspected MCL sprain to Aaron Banks, which will necessitate Daniel Brunskill moving into the role.

Grade: A