Well, it took 11 weeks, but the 49ers put together their best game in quite a while (maybe ever in the Shanny era) as the 49ers got their revenge in a big way on the Cardinals. The local favorites in Mexico City laid a smack-down on the overmatched and gassed AZ Cards to the tune of a 38-10 shellacking. This is the 2nd dispelling of recent mishaps as the Niners earlier beat the (Wilsonless) Seahawks, and took care of the Kliff Kingsbury Kards, who had our number the last couple years.
Yeah, Wilson and Denver beat us, but let’s just treat that as an anomaly at this point. The 49ers played an interesting game with their running backs. In the 1st half, the Niners came out throwing, with CMNC being the major beneficiary of check-downs and swing passes as the Niners scored on three straight possessions to close out the 1st half.
In the 2nd half, Mitchell got his reps as the team switched gears to a running attack. Mitchell had 9 rushes for 60 yards, 6 on the first drive of the 2nd half, and the 49ers took the 2nd half kickoff in for a 24-10 lead. It was a bit of a departure for Shanny as HE was the one dictating the action. I tell you, just having CMC as a check-down is paying off hugely. Shit, even Kittle had a check-down catch.
And I really have to give the O line coaches kudos for getting a semblance of consistency out of the group. In the last 2 games, the line has given up 1 sack, and Jimmy had time to make adjustments and he was able to get through his progressions without getting hit. The 2 biggest plays for Jimmy (to me anyway) was the pass over the middle to Kittle as Jimmy Stepped up in the pocket, and threw Kittle open for the score, and the dart to Aiyuk in the red zone as the play was initially set to go to CMC. Jimmy stepped up, avoided the rush, and hit the target.
The run game was opening up giant holes, and gee, the return of the jet sweep was welcome, as Deebo, who caught 7 passes for 57 yards, had a brilliantly blocked 39 yard score. Best part of the play is center Spencer Burford going 30 yards downfield top flatten Budda Baker at the 3 to finish off the run.
The defense again pitched a 2nd half shutout for the 3rd week in a row. The stifling defense has 3 sacks, 2 picks, and ELEVEN tackles for losses. Dre Greenlaw was his bad ass self, flying all over the field with his LB-leading 9 tackles. Mooney Ward had 10 tackles and was a disruptive force from the opening bell.
Special teams were also solid with Wishnowski pinning AZ inside the 20 twice, and missed a third one by the length of half a foot as McCloud’s foot slid into the end zone for a touchback. Robbie boomed all his kicks into the thin air for TBs, and made his only FG attempt from 39 yards.
All in all, one of the best games this team has played in a while. From the coaching to all phases, a great effort. I will say though that AZ looked completely demoralized as the 3rd quarter progressed. They didn’t want to tackle anyone, and were simply mailing it in. The Cards are on HBO’s Hard Knocks in-season show. Can’t wait to see that one. They were coming off a pretty big win over the Rams, so this was a nice kick in the face to these guys.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
To me, this is what made MTV so fun. Great song, but the video is awesome.
I still like shit like this too.
When I commented that Kyle said he does not feel pressure to use all his players, either that was a lie or someone up the Niners food change told him he better start using them, that they are not getting paid to be decoys. Most complete offense in the Shanahan era.
Just what I expected a Blowout against an overmatched Cardinals team. It was great getting everyone involved for once, especially Kittle hungry for catches instead of over using him in the blocking game, he’s a top 5 TE use him as one!
Great game by Jimmy G who everyone loves to bash, but with a solid job by the OL ( no sacks allowed) he had a clean jersey and throwing precise darts to Kittle,Samuel,Ayiuk,CMC.Defense #1 in the league and continues to show it as 2 teams in a row SHUTOUT in the 2nd half, they are a brick wall against the run, and the secondary been damm good as well!! 38-10 man it’s nice to get a blowout when the whole league is playing games that come down to one possession in the end a lot…
That’s 3 in row we shut out in the 2nd half.
Kevin, posted the pics you sent! That is pretty awesome your son went.
Mexico City is very cool, but insanely huge.
The game is up there in the top 3 of Kyle games. AZ fro their part looked beaten and gassed by the end of the half.
And I’ll say, having CMC as a safety valve is ginormous in the grand scheme of things. Instead of taking a -6 yard sack, Jimmy is getting 6-12 yard gains on plays that break down. I have never seen Jimmy look this composed in the pocket.
The line play has been steadily improving this season. Kudos to them. Run game was solid and as I said, I was wondering all 1st half why Mitchell wasn’t in there. They saved him to pound AZ in the 2nd half.
Kudos to Kyle as well for a well-formed game plan. The altitude acclimation seemed to work as well. AZ was spent by halftime.
CMC pass catching back makes a huge difference in the offense, reminds me of Roger Craig ere.
I didn’t expect that kind of game but we were ready to play and it showed. I think it was Brunskil(sp) that leveled Baker. He stood out to me every time we had a good run I saw # 64 down the field blocking his ass off. I hope we can carry it over this week. We don’t have a good record coming off Monday night games but I see a team that’s hungry and coming alive. What fun.
It was the center, Jake Brendel, who leveled Baker down field.
Yep. The diff between a 6 yard gain and a 6 yard loss is pretty big. We even used Kittle as a check-down once. Trusting the line just a little bit more.
Actually it was neither, Winder. Brunskill is 60, Burford is 74, and center Jake Brendel is 64.
The line has VASTLY improved this season.
Got the Saints coming up. They are all over the place defensively, but they can score points. Just might go to this game.
Lol I was close anyway. Just looked up how many times the Niners have played on Thanksgiving day. They have played 5 games total, the only one I really remember was the fucking Seahawk game where we totally looked like crap.
I remember one as a kid where we beat the Cowboys. I think we blocked a punt. late 60s? Early 70s?
Ahhhhhhh. 1972.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211230dal.htm
Thanks for that. I know for a fact I watched that game but don’t remember anything about it.
This video does a nice job of breaking down how the O-line played the other night. What many of us thought was a major weakness heading into the season has turned into one of the best units in the league. Banks and Williams are a devastating combo on the left side. Brendel and Brunskill played well too:
Nice thanks for that
The little details you don’t see watching the game live are really fascinating.
Very cool. Line play has been getting consistently better. And all the rest improves from there. Didn’t hear much about McGlinchey in this but i mighta missed it.
Jimmy looks less skittish in the pocket these last couple games. It’s not like we are mad-bombing or anything but what is really surprising to me is Garoppolo is 4th in yards per attempt at 8.1. I guess everyone is shortening their passing games.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Looks like the Niners are playing it smart for the short week. Add the holiday and it’s even shorter. I hope we are all ready to go on Sunday.
He isolated McGlinchey on one play when the defensive end pancaked him due to McGlinchey’s always-crappy pass blocking technique. I think it’s safe to say he’s easily the weakest of the bunch where pass blocking is concerned. He’s been in the league 5 years and hasn’t improved at all. Probably never will, but he is a good run blocker.
The takeaway is that he doesn’t use his hands enough in pass blocking, which is essential at this level. Watching Williams you can see exactly how it’s done.
Happy Thanksgiving all. Hope y’all have a great one. Thanks for hanging out here.
Hope these guys keep it up.
Oooops!!
BA did check on the guy.
New thread is up.