Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
In a copycat league, Kittle can be Henry, and Deebo can be Taysom Hill
Derrick Henry. Deshaun Watson. Adam Thielen. Russell Wilson. What the Wildcard round proved is that if you have a player that can dominate no matter the situation or surroundings, you have a chance. The San Francisco 49ers have more than a chance against the Minnesota Vikings as they’re favored by seven points. The Niners are favored for a few reasons. Not only are they battle-tested against the best teams in the league, but they won 13 games after overcoming a series of injuries, and did so without really playing their “best” brand of football.
Speaking of having a “guy,” the 49ers have the best “guy” at his position, in George Kittle. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Kittle had 85 catches on without a single drop this year (34 more than any other TE.) Kittle also led the NFL in receiving yards after contact (252) and was the most dominant blocker at the position. I was asked on a podcast what makes Kittle so good. He’s a big, strong guy that can outrun the majority of players defending him, but I don’t think that’s what makes Kittle the best. It’s his attitude. His relentlessness. Kittle is the aggressor. Figuratively speaking, he punches guys in the mouth from the very first snap and doesn’t let up for the next 60 snaps. We can go through every 49ers game this season
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