Week 5 started out with a classic NFC West rivalry game for the San Francisco 49ers. It was a road game and in prime time. Not to mention, it was going to be played without several key players, quarterback Brock Purdy included.
As the night would unfold, San Francisco came out swinging behind Mac Jones, who stepped in for Purdy and played some good football thanks to his head coach's fiery quote just moments before the game.
Kyle Shanahan had the utmost faith in Jones to lead his team, and Jones came through. After the victory, running back Christian McCaffrey was asked on the live Prime broadcast about Jones' performance. McCaffrey oozed praise for his quarterback, to no one's surprise.
"He doesn't miss a beat. He's so poised throughout the entire game. His overall toughness, his grit is something that helps us win football games," McCaffrey said.
Christian McCaffrey praised Mac Jones for exactly what 49ers fans saw on Thursday night
The key words here, from McCaffrey are "toughness" and "grit."
We saw Jones reacting in a variety of ways throughout the game against the Rams on Thursday night. Whether it was Jones clearly still playing through some discomfort due to his PCL sprain back in camp, the moment he went down that forced a break in the action about halfway through the third quarter or even the massaging of his forearm, Jones was attended to frequently in this one.
Not once did Jones look as though he was going to sit this one out, though. He was as tough as nails and continued to get back out on that field, doing everything he could to help win this game for his teammates.
Jones' toughness and leadership exemplify exactly what fans have seen from him in limited action. But, it's his toughness and grit which have become a staple of this team. There is no way the 49ers should be 4-1 on the season, with as many injuries as they've had at key positions.
But, beneath Jones' and Shanahan's leadership, they have continued to fight. They've continued to win.
These are the characteristics fans have wanted to see shine through in tougher times, which they haven't always seen. Now, has Jones played his way into a quarterback controversy in San Francisco? That's an entirely different story altogether.
For now, let's enjoy the moment and how Jones has led this team up to this point.