Bring out the tarp and cover the field. I can’t watch this anymore. It’s over. Turn the lights out, and let’s get the bulldozers in here and turn this place into a parking lot! A Major League 2 reference, anyone? Yes, last night happened. The 49ers allowed four field goals on defense, only scored six points on offense, and De’Vondre Campbell left the field and quit on the team. The season is essentially over with three games to play.
Usually, we hand out gold jackets on Mondays after Sunday’s game, but let’s hand some out on Friday the 13th.
Offense: George Kittle
There wasn’t much to write home about with the 49ers offense, but Kittle again was the highest-graded offensive player and crushed Campbell’s decision to leave the field in his post-game press conference for extra points. Kittle is the heart and soul of this offense, and the 49ers need to run their offense through him much more often.
Kittle added a 74.0 run-blocking grade, second behind Jauan Jennings (90.0). Seven targets isn’t enough for the all-world tight end, especially with the lack of separation from the 49ers receivers. Kittle turned his seven targets into four catches for 61 yards and finished with the highest receiving grade of 80.2.
Every game the 49ers play in 2024 should have Kittle at the top of the targets list.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Guerendo
There wasn’t a clear-cut second option for a gold jacket, but Guerendo turned 20 touches into 75 scrimmage yards. Yeah, it was that kind of night for the 49ers offense.
Defense: Dre Greenlaw
Stats will never be able to tell the story of Greenlaw’s performance Thursday night. His energy was infectious, and his play was sparkling. On 30 total snaps, Greenlaw finished with seven tackles, four defensive stops, an 87.6 overall defensive grade, an 81.8 run defense grade, and an 81.4 tackling grade with a 74.2 coverage grade.
Greenlaw’s return and performance energized Fred Warner, who finished with the highest-defensive grade with 92.1. On a night in which the 49ers allowed four field goals on defense, the two linebackers shined the brightest on national television.
It was just a remarkable return to the field for Greenlaw after returning from his devastating Achilles injury in the Super Bowl.
Honorable Mention: The Secondary
Aside from a couple of plays, the secondary was stellar. Right before halftime, the 49ers held Cooper Kupp without a catch and Matthew Stafford to 11 yards passing. Yes, the secondary had chances to turn Stafford over, but if I told you the defense would allow 12 points, you would say the 49ers rolled on Thursday night.
Deommodore Lenoir finished with the fourth-highest defensive grade of 78.6. A defensive gem was wasted by the 49ers offense. Such is life for the 2024 49ers. When one unit has a stellar game, another lets them down.
