Though Sunday's preseason Week 2 game had little importance or bearing on the upcoming regular season for the San Francisco 49ers, the 16-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints served its purpose.
At Levi's Stadium, quarterback Brock Purdy took reps during the opening series, followed by two more, yet his efforts didn't exactly jump off the page. Other names on the squad shined while a few of them had their light dimmed.
As many of these athletes are scrapping to make the final 53-man roster, not every position is set in stone.
As the Niners were ultimatelyvictorious, we take a look at some of the winners and losers.
Winner: WR Jacob Cowing
The rookie Jacob Cowing impressed in what was his first preseason action after being sidelined with an injury during San Francisco's exhibition opener the week prior. As first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, has missed time due to injury, and the current contract dispute with fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk, Cowing showed up big against the Saints.
Cowing caught the ball four times and collected 51 yards while doing so. The biggest one in the game for him was a 38-yard reception.
He was targeted five times and also rushed the ball once, netting 19 yards in the process. Cowing's play down the field help extend the chains for the 49ers' offense.
Cowing was also used twice during the punt-return game. Between both snags, he tallied 19 yards including a 13-yard return.
The former Arizona Wildcat may not have elevated himself to starter status for San Francisco. However, he gives head coach Kyle Shanahan another capable weapon on offense.
Loser: 49ers offensive line
Though it was not a terrible game for the 49ers' front line on offense, it was not a strong showing, either. This unit allowed the Saints to record two sacks and plenty of quarterback pressures.
Currently, there are multiple players on the offensive line who are banged up. Trent Williams has been out while guards Jon Feliciano, Spencer Burford and Aaron Banks were listed with injuries, too.
New Orleans' defense was able to get to the quarterback on at least five hits, including two from former 49er Chase Young. Aside from Cowing's 19-yard run and the 25 yards accumulated from backup quarterback Josh Dobbs, the 49ers did not create a lot of holes for their own run game.
San Francisco may have finished with 93 yards rushing, but almost 48 percent of those came from Cowing and Dobbs. If the 49ers are to be successful during the 17 games the regular season has to offer, the O-line must protect the quarterback and open up paths for the running backs.
Winner: 49ers special teams
We get it! It's difficult to replace a legend such as kicker Robbie Gould. Yet, the 49ers found an ample replacement in Jake Moody.
Moody was perfect last year in his extra-point attempts. He went 21-of-25 in field-goal attempts, which isn't terrible for a first-year player considering he was automatic inside of 30 yards.
On Sunday, Moody matched the entire point total of his opponent, the Saints. He scored 10 points off of three field goals and an extra-point attempt despite missing a field goal.
Moody was not the only breakout performer on special teams. Punter Pressley Harvin III placed all four of his punts inside the 20-yard line, which creates a modest punter controversy with the incumbent, Mitch Wishnowsky, who's currently dealing with a minor injury.
Harvin's longest punt went 56 yards. In addition, rookie running back Cody Schrader registered a total of 56 yards on just two kick returns.
When special teams helps put points on the scoreboard and advances the football, it makes winning easier, as we saw against New Orleans.
Loser: RB Matt Breida
Running back Matt Breida did fare slightly better than the Niners' preseason opener last weekend versus the Tennessee Titans, but his preseason Week 2 stats are not exactly appealing. He carried the ball seven times and only collected 24 yards.
Breida did pull in two catches, including one for 21 yards. With averaging less than 2 yards a carry between both of the 49ers' preseason games, it's hard to imagine him earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
When healthy, San Francisco is deep at running back. Last year's leading rusher, Christian McCaffrey is expected to have another impactful season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also has Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and rookie Isaac Guerendo to field, too.
Breida enjoyed some flashes of glory in his early days with the 49ers. Unfortunately, his time may be coming to an end playing for the defending NFC champions.
Winner: Quarterbacks not named Brock Purdy
With the departure of Sam Darnold during free agency, the 49ers inked Joshua Dobbs to a deal to back up starting quarterback Brock Purdy. The veteran hurler did well on Sunday.
Dobbs finished the game connecting on 12 of his 21 throws, including the 38-yard play to Jacob Cowing. Additionally, Dobbs accumulated 95 other throwing yards during the contest.
Dobbs also got it done on the ground, too. He had three rushes for 25 yards, including a 13-yard dash.
Meanwhile, other backups Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai also saw action for San Francisco and accounted well for themselves over the second half.
Allen was perhaps the more accurate quarterback (70-percent completion rate) as he only missed three of his 10 throws to receivers. Mordecai went 4-of-6 and averaged the highest average per completion of 7.6 yards.
Combined, San Francisco's backup quarterbacks racked up over 200 yards throwing and were only sacked once.
The important thing is neither of the three turned the ball over.
Loser: WR Ronnie Bell
The opportunities sure were there for second-year wide receiver Ronnie Bell.
Bell was targeted the most, as he was thrown to seven times but was only able to pull in two receptions, dealing with more drops along the way.
While his average reception has been worth more than 9 yards to the 49ers' offense, in the previous preseason game against the Titans, Bell also only collected two grabs for a total of 22 yards.
As a rookie last season, Bell suited up in all 17 games for San Francisco. The former Michigan Wolverine produced six catches for 33 yards. Half of his grabs resulted in a touchdown for the 49ers' offense.
Bell is not showing he is as talented as the other wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart. After all, Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall are not in the picture yet, and San Francisco still boasts the likes of Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing on the roster.
Unless Bell can bounce back in the preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, he may be a potential cut like Matt Breida and others.