San Francisco 49ers – Performances of Note
Joe Staley, OT: +7.3
Breakdown: The 49ers made an effort to run behind Staley and LG Mike Iupati (+3.4 run block) and it proved to be a good strategy. It was an uncharacteristic game for San Francisco who eschewed their “power” running attack for more of a zone scheme and Staley was a key to the game as he won on the edge throughout the game. He worked in tandem with Iupati to get good movement on RE Allen Bailey a number of times and when you throw in a perfect day in pass protection on 34 dropbacks, it was one of the finer left tackle performances of the season.
Signature Plays: Staley led the charge on the first snap of the game, getting good movement on Bailey for a six-yard gain and he later reached and sealed him to set up an easy cutback for RB Frank Gore, good for a 13-yard gain at the 9:28 mark of the third quarter.
Justin Smith, DE: +2.9
Breakdown: Yet another classic day for Smith who made life easier on his teammates in the running game, even though they were often unable to take advantage. Despite getting in on only two total tackles, Smith continually won at the line of scrimmage and forced running backs to alter their paths. He also managed to force a fumble on RB Jamaal Charles. If there’s one complaint, it’s his lack of pass rushing production as he was shut out on 22 rushes.
Signature Play: Smith nearly forced a game-changing turnover at the end of the first half as he poked the ball free from Charles deep in Kansas City territory, but Charles managed to fall on it. His work against LT Eric Fisher at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter was a great example of his ability to create for teammates as he stood Fisher up in the point of attack forcing Charles to bounce outside where LB Michael Wilhoite was waiting to make the tackle for a one-yard gain.
Colin Kaepernick, QB: -2.2
Breakdown: The roller coaster ride continues for Kaepernick who constantly flashes the ability to make plays few other quarterbacks can make, but is also alarmingly bad at some of the “simple” throws. He was still a little quick to feel pressure on occasion, one week after that being a major issue against the Eagles. He also had a similar mishap from the previous week as he telegraphed a slant route in similar fashion to his pick-6 to Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins. This time it was FS Ron Parker breaking on the ball and merely deflecting it as Kaepernick was fortunate that it didn’t go 90 yards the other way. It was another game of “wow” throws mixed with head scratchers for Kaepernick.
Signature Plays: The near-interception to Parker was one of two extremely poor throws for Kaepernick as he kicked off the second half by forcing an in-route to WR Michael Crabtree who was blanketed by CB Sean Smith on yet another pass that should have been a turnover. Of course Kaepernick comes back with a pinpoint deep dig route at the 11:10 mark of the third quarter and we see his mesmerizing potential. If he can get a handle on the short game, he can be one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks given his downfield accuracy and game-changing ability in the running game.
PFF Game Ball
Joe Staley had a dominant outing in the run game and in pass protection making him an easy choice for this week’s game ball.