49ers Week Seventeen Temperature Check

The 49ers appear primed for a playoff run, but who is standing out and why?

After a thrilling 42-38 victory over the Chicago Bears, the San Francisco 49ers have extended their win streak to six games and are primed for their upcoming battle with the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West crown. There is a lot right about this team currently, but also some serious areas of concern. Let’s dive into this week’s temperature check.

Hot:

Brock Purdy

Purdy has been electric over the past few games, accounting for TEN total touchdowns against the Colts and Bears. More impressive though has been his command of the offense and the way he is seeing the field. After years of hearing the so-called experts claim that Purdy needs his “Avengers” to be successful, it is clear that he is one that is carrying this team as they push towards the top spot in the NFC.

The Run Game

There was concern in the middle of the season that the 49ers’ run game was not as productive as it needed to be, but that appears to have been corrected as Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers offensive line have been resurrected and have gashed defenses for several big gains in the last two games. The timing could not have been better as ball control will be a necessity as the 49ers look to make a deep playoff run.

Jake Tonges

After being mostly invisible once George Kittle returned from injury, Tonges had to fill in again against Chicago and didn’t miss a beat. Seven catches for 60 yards and a touchdown doesn’t tell the full story though. Tonges had several critical catches against the Bears that kept the chains moving en route to the 49ers 42-point explosion on offense.

Jauan Jennings

How far has Jennings come since his contractual holdout and subpar play early in the season? Jennings has slowed on his touchdown receptions but has been as clutch as anyone on offense during the 49ers six game winning streak. “Third and Jauan” seems to have returned in a big way, which can only serve the Niners and Brock Purdy well down the stretch.

One Game for the West

Somehow and someway the 49ers have overcome injuries and adversity to improbably set themselves up to win the NFC West crown and the number one overall seed in the NFC this week against Seattle. Levi’s Stadium should register on the Richter’s Scale for the intensity that the Faithful will bring come Saturday night against Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks.

Lukewarm

Thomas Morstead’s Christmas Vacation

After taking most of December off, presumably for the holidays, Morstead was forced back into action against the Bears. He had two punts in the game and hopefully didn’t have to ice his legs too much after his inflated workload.

Cold

The Defense

In the last two weeks, the unit the 49ers call their defense has been dreadful. Having given up 65 points and 880 yards of total offense to their last two opponents, Robert Saleh’s defense will have to stiffen up to make a strong run in the postseason or otherwise force Purdy and the offense to continue putting up 40-point games.

Tatum Bethune

Bethune has done an admirable job of filling in for Fred Warner in his absence but almost cost the 49ers the Bears game by letting his temper get the best of him. A 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty to Bears TE Colston Loveland after the play was over was a major detriment to a defense that already has major leaks. Playing smart has to be the priority for Bethune as he will lead this defense in the playoffs.

Injuries…. Again

One play into Sunday night’s game, and Trent Williams was in the blue tent. He would remain on the sideline for the rest of the night with a hamstring injury that hopefully will not linger too long. CB Upton Stout would also exit the game with a concussion. There is never a good time for injuries, but with the postseason clearly in view the 49ers need to have every weapon at their disposal.