49ers Get Thanksgiving Revenge
Nearly a decade after watching Richard Sherman and Co. feast on turkey legs while on their logo the 49ers finally repay the favor.
Thursday marked the first time the Seahawks and 49ers have played on Thanksgiving in nearly a decade. The last time? Well, the last time is etched in every 49er fan’s memory. The image of Richard Sherman chowing down on a turkey leg at midfield of a newly built Levi’s stadium. So last weeks 31-13 win at Seattle felt a little sweeter than usual. Being able to pay back a 10 year old grudge meant a little bit more, which is saying a lot because every game between these two bitter NFC rivals always means a lot, especially given their positions for seeding in the NFC.
Offense
12 weeks into the 2023 regular season and the 49ers continue to shine as one of the premier offensive units in the league. On Sunday they put up 31 points with 377 total yards of offense. They were efficient in the red zone (3/4) and on third down (5/11), while holding the ball for over 35 minutes.
Run CMC Run
The 49ers offense all starts with the run game and Thursday was no different. Christian McCaffery has been a torrid pace in 2023 and continued to add to it in Week 12. The star RB ran for 114 YDS (6.0 YPC) with 2 TDs. McCaffery was his usual versatile self as well adding 5 catches for 25 YDS.
The 49ers run game failed to consistently block for McCaffery outside of runs off the left tackle (Trent Williams is very good) but like always he made it work. His use of tempo at the line of scrimmage and ability to fit through holes made yards appear from seemingly nowhere.
McCaffery also displayed tremendous contact balance and tackle breaking ability on Thursday, finishing with 4 Missed Forced Tackles and 70 Yards After Contact.
The 49ers rushing game as a whole rushed for 170 yards, their 0.23 EPA/Rush ranked 2nd in the NFL on the weeks (Rams had a rush EPA of 0.246) and came in a full 0.2 point higher than their yearly average. Even backup RB Elijah Mitchell (7 ATT for 39 YDS) got involved late to help seal it!
Passing Game Stays Explosive but Too Many Negatives
Due to a positive game script for San Francisco less was asked of the passing offense on Sunday. Despite a lower yardage total (209 yards) QB Brock Purdy was his usually steady self, completing 70% of his passes at over 7 Yards an Attempt. He did have a pair of poor throws while backed up in his own endzone, one of which was intercepted and returned for a TD, but he made up for it with (arguably) the best throw of his season to Brandon Aiyuk later in the game.
The passing game unlike recent weeks didn’t feature one player in particular. Deebo Samuel was the teams leading WR with 79 yards but 8 different players recorded a reception on Sunday. The 49ers passing attack continued to target the Seahawks coverage unit as they have in recent years with a heavy dose of crossers and in breakers that put stress on a weak 2nd level.
Right Side of Line Remains a Negative
The main reason (outside of game script) the 49ers passing game failed to fully get off the ground was the poor play of the right side of the offensive line. Right Guard Jon Feliciano, in for the injured Spencer Burford, and Right Tackle Colton McKivitz allowed 7 total pressures between the two of them. That accounted for 58% of the teams total pressures allowed. They also failed to consistently move the Seattle DL in the run game.
The right side of the offensive line has been a question all year but elite playmakers and play calling has been able to cover it up. With a big rematch in Philly looming and the potential to see other elite defensive lines in the playoffs, it remains an area of concern to monitor.
Defense
The real star of the show on Thanksgiving was the 49er defense. Facing a very talented, albeit banged up Seahawks offense they only allowed 6 total points on 220 yards. Seattle was 3-12 on 3rd/4th down and turned it over twice, never really getting things going outside of couple big plays to net them field goals.
Pass Rush Stays Hot
The 49ers pass rush continued it’s hot streak it has been on since the bye and the addition of Chase Young. Led by Nick Bosa’s 9 pressures and 3 sacks, the pass rush had 6 sacks on 25 total pressures. DC Steve Wilks continues to find creative ways to generate pressures both with four…
And when bringing blitzes…
The additions of Young and Randy Gregory have allowed the 49ers fronts to be more creative especially on passing downs. Moving around Bosa and allowing him to change lanes on stunts and twists has garnered multiple favorable matchups that the defensive line has been able to take advantage of.
Lockdown Coverage
A big reason the pass rush was able to get home so consistently in Week 12 and basically every week since the bye is the play of the coverage behind it. Ever since his insertion into the starting lineup in Week 10 Ambry Thomas has not only changed the complexion of the defense but added weekly splash plays. This week is was an interception where he was able to undercut a deep out to Tyler Locket from his Cover 3 zone.
The best player in the secondary however and probably the entire defense on Thursday was Charvarius Ward. Ward, primarily tasked with guarding D.K. Metcalf, allowed on 4 REC on 10! TGT for 44 yards. He also added 3 PBUs, two of which could have been interceptions as well.
All in all, the CB trio of Thomas, Ward and Deommodore Lenoir allowed only 9 receptions for 102 yards on 18 targets while also adding 4 PBUs and an INT.
What’s Next?
It’s a good time for the 49ers to be playing their best ball of the year because Week 13 brings the rematch with Philly. You know the team they lost too because they ran out of QBs in the NFC title game? The Eagles off back to back comeback wins versus AFC contenders are riding high and preparing for the return of some key starters. San Francisco will have to be on their A-game for a matchup that could likely decide the #1 seed in the NFC.