Temp Checks: Who's Hot and Heating Up for the 49ers after Week 9
#AbolishMetLife
The 49ers were back on the road for a Week 9 visit to New York to take on the Giants. While they would leave MetLife Stadium with a 34-24 victory to improve to 6-3 on the season, not all was perfect on Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the MetLife Turf.
Hot
Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey was in 2023 form on Sunday, accounting for 173 total yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey had a rushing and receiving touchdown in the game, which would be the 16th time in his career that he has achieved that feat. With that performance, he would set the NFL record for such games, breaking his tie with Marshall Faulk.
Mac Jones
Headed into the locker room at halftime, Jones was a perfect 14/14 with two touchdowns. By notching his fifth win in the season, Jones also triggered an escalator in his contract earning him a cool 100k on the day. Jones would throw for 235 yards and finish the game with a 135.2 rating, all while cleaning up a bloody nose.
Brian Robinson Jr.
CMC wasn’t the only running back to put on a display on Sunday, as Brian Robinson Jr’s usage saw an uptick against the Giants. For the second week in a row, Robinson would have an outstanding kickoff return that he would bring 41 yards to set the offense up for a touchdown drive. His highlight would come on offense as his 18-yard touchdown run will undoubtedly set him up for an ‘Angry Runs’ honor for the week.
Heating up
Secondary play
With the exception of a handful of plays, the secondary as a whole played a fantastic game. Renardo Green and Upton Stout both played what would be easily considered their best games of the season, with only Deommodore Lenoir operating as a weak link on Sunday.
Pass Rush
The Post-Nick Bosa pass rush seems to be having an up and down run as of late. A week after being shut out against Houston, there were signs of life against in the Meadowlands. Sam Okuayinonu registered a solo sack, but the highlight was Clelin Ferrell’s hustle sack deep in New York territory after being seemingly blocked out of the play.
Cold
Injuries…. Again
Another week, another potentially season-ending injury. Late in the game it seemed as though the 49ers may escape MetLife, but then it happened. Mykel Williams was writhing in pain and would limp off the field. Kyle Shanahan would announce shortly after the game that they feared an ACL tear.
MetLife Turf
The MetLife Stadium lived up to its reputation yet again with the Williams injury. The turf was replaced by grass in the offseason to accommodate international soccer games, but then reinstalled the turf afterwards. Given the history of the turf and the havoc it has wreaked, when will the field be viewed as negligent by Giants ownership?
Demarcus Robinson
Robinson was one of the few highlights of the 49ers free agency period, but has yet to provide any highlights since returning to the field from suspension. Robinson created a lot of optimism among the faithful for his offseason performance, but that has yet to translate in a game. Will we see the Demarcus Robinson that led the Rams in receiving for the playoffs last year?