This misbegotten trainwreck of a season seems to be somehow managing to stay on the tracks despite a slew of injuries that are noticeably worse than last year’s 6-11 debacle. Yet here we are at 5-2 after winning another game against an opponent that was riding high. Atl was flush with a crushing win over the Buffaloes as Bijan Robinson ran and received for 238 yards. The Niners were licking their wounds with the loss of the heart and soul of the defense, Fred Warner, and the stumbling fumbling loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs.
So, naturally the defense stood very tall and limited BRob to 50 on the ground and 92 total yards as the 49ers clamped down on the Atlanta offense and held then to 10 points. They even got a couple sacks, including a stripsack by Bryce Huff (thanks Philly), and the recovery by rookie soon-to-be sensation Alfred Collins. He of the game-saving forced fumble/recovery against the Rams.
The offense was powered by the return of the run game, as CMC ran for 129 and caught for 72 for a huge 201 yard day. This of course was helped immensely by the return of George Kittle. He caught no passes but his blocking was key. That being said, I did see a lot of odd motions from Juice as he would veer back into the run lanes pre-snap and create some holes. Shanny actually changing looks up and getting much better push up front. This seemed to happen after Brendel went down and Hennessey took over but I need to watch the game again.
All told though, this was a game that they can hopefully hold on to as they keep going. The proof is in the turnover battle. Yesterday was even (1 each). Our 2 losses we are 0-6. So, stop fucking up . . .
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Seems to me that Kittle is the key ingredient to inside running.
CMc between the Tackles was the reason their DL was overwhelmed. We seemed to stack them up inside and limit their ability to move laterally. Good game plan which Trent called the CMc plan. Just wish Shanny would give him some help before he wears him out.
Impressed with Bethune who held his own in Fred’s absence. Hope it continues.
Great win against Bijan and London as well.
Atlanta’s D-line is a little smaller and mostly use one gapping technique. It’s a lot like what we did last year. I think we will still have issues with a good 2 gapping D-line, which is what we have switched to this year. It looks like our young D-line is starting to get better. One gappers plug and play compared to 2 gappers that need to stand ground and push people backwards.
Saleh really is working wonders with this makeshift defense. The players look like they have totally bought in. It’s also nice to look forward to the draft I think we have some good scouts and decision makers in the FO now. Hopefully no one steals em for awhile.
.
Brendel is signed through ’26 and came by way after FA. If Zakelj is their C in waiting behind Hennessy I’m still in favor of drafting someone else in April. Been watching Oregon Ducks a bit and would like to snag Iapani Laloulu.
He’s a beast.
Did see Zakelj last night in the LG position so I’m not sure if he’s being groomed at all for a Center stint in the future.
https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/195467-49ers-falcons-grades-worst-counts/
Zakelj had just 4 snaps at LG with Colby all the rest. Read a year or two ago that Zakelj was tried at OC but lost out so he is OG. Could he be a swing OT?
BTom I don’t think Zakelj is big enough to get reps at OT.
If he didn’t make grade at Center he’s probably going to become a FA as Brendel was after he completes his rookie contract. I think Miami is where Brendel started his NFL career?
I’d lean towards a bigger guy like Laloulu who already plays the position at a major college program. There are very few positions where a college player can step in as a rookie and succeed so, there’s time needed for development. Zakelj is in that phase now.
Pfffft. This team is a paper tiger. Time will tell and they will start losing when they play legit teams outside of this cupcake schedule.
Geez. Does this shit ever stop?
Bryce Huff will miss time with hamstring injury – NBC Sports https://share.google/27ub6FtSmeTSwSh2r
Guess we’re going to see a couple of games with Hennessy at C.
49ers’ Bryce Huff, Jake Brendel out two weeks with injuries – NBC Sports Bay Area & California https://share.google/iAmI1hFIxeOKbVEBm
https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/49ers
Here are 2026 SF draft picks for us. Hope our own 1,2,3,4 are kept for draft day only.
new thread is up