49ers Week Six Temperature Check
The 49ers traveled east to take on Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in a matchup of the NFC’s best. While they would fall short, the biggest loss came in the form of All-World Linebacker Fred Warner for the remainder of the season. Let’s take a look at who’s hot and who’s cold after week six.
Hot
Eddie Piniero
Coming off of his NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award, Piniero was again responsible for the majority of the scoring on Sunday, going 4 of 4 on his field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards. Could he be a repeat award winner this week? He should be.
Mykel Williams
Williams recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday. Along with a tackle for loss, Williams was the lone highlight on the defensive line.
Kendrick Bourne
Bourne was a big play machine on Sunday, hauling in five catches for 142 yards. With a long catch of 56 yards, Bourne was connecting with QB Mac Jones throughout the game.
Heating up
Jake Tonges
Tonges had several clutch catches against Tampa while amassing six grabs for 58 yards. He is establishing himself as a solid compliment in the tight end room to George Kittle when he returns from injured reserve.
The Avengers
Just like in Avengers: Endgame, the 49ers version of offensive heroes will be slowly returning, hopefully beginning this week. Kittle is expected to return for next week’s game against Atlanta, while QB Brock Purdy and WR Ricky Pearsall will be evaluated this week for a potential return as well. Kyle Shanahan has stated they expect a possible WR Brandon Aiyuk return around week 10.
Cold
Pass Rush
One more week removed from the season-ending injury to star DE Nick Bosa, and Robert Saleh and the 49ers seemingly have no answer for how to get pressure on the opposing quarterback. Aside from Williams’ sack early in the game, the only other time they got to Mayfield he was able to escape on 3rd and 14 to get a first down that would essentially put the game away for Tampa.
Black Magic/Voodoo
Somewhere there is someone that has placed some form of curse on this team. This week it would be at the expense of LB Fred Warner. Warner was rolled up on while making a tackle, and would suffer a season ending ankle injury. Another in a never ending list of key injuries that continue to plague this team throughout the Shanahan era.
Interior Offensive Line play
While Mac Jones threw for 347 yards, he was under fire all day against Vita Vea and a Tampa defensive line that was bullying the 49ers offensive line. If giving up six sacks on the day wasn’t enough, several drive killing penalties were a direct result of center/guard play. While he finds ways to grade out well, center Jake Brendel continues to set the offense back on a weekly basis with penalties and low effort in run blocking.
Defensive Communication
Almost as soon as Warner exited the game, the defense looked out of sorts. All three Tampa touchdowns were a result of 49er defenders being out of position. Mayfield was able to capitalize on an inexperienced defense, and made several eye popping plays that would find the endzone.