The San Francisco 49ers’ offense was on full display against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The running game wasn’t dominant, but Brock Purdy and the passing offense did whatever they wanted on their way to a 37-point output. Jauan Jennings scored twice, and George Kittle added 88 yards and a touchdown, with Purdy moving well in the pocket and picking up yards with his legs.
Which two 49ers bounced back on Sunday?
Offense: Ricky Pearsall
Unfortunately, the story of Pearsall’s game is surrounded by questions about his injuries. Even with the multiple times that Pearsall came up limping, the second-year receiver led the team with 96 yards, and the feeling was that there was still meat on the bone for Purdy and Pearsall. On seven targets, Pearsall hauled in six catches with 21 yards after the catch. Four of Pearsall’s five catches were in the 10-19 yard area, with 50 yards.
Sunday’s performance is frustrating due to the concerted effort to get Pearsall involved in the game plan and the injury to his knee, which puts his status for Monday night in doubt. The 49ers’ passing offense is so much more dominant with a natural separator who can create space for Jennings and others. In the first three weeks of his return from the PCL injury, Pearsall totaled five catches for 20 yards.
Pearsall looked like the receiver from the first four weeks, who totaled 100 yards twice in his first four games.
Defense: CJ West
While Tony Pollard gashed the 49ers’ run defense, there was CJ West, who, when he left the field on Sunday, was a sizable loss. In Week 13, West finished with a 35.3 defensive grade and 38.2 run defense grade. Although West added a tackle and defensive stop, PFF wasn’t kind to the Indiana rookie.
On only 14 snaps, West added two tackles and a defensive stop. It wasn’t pretty for the 49ers’ defensive line, which was unable to sack Cam Ward, but West did bounce back in his handful of snaps. The next three weeks will be telling for the rookie. Indianapolis and Chicago have excellent offensive lines and rushing attacks. West will be relied on for important snaps.
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