After the 49ers’ 30-12 win over the New York Giants in Week 3 on Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium, defensive end Nick Bosa shared that he believes this will be the return of San Francisco’s defensive line. has the best game, and the PFF grades show a solid. performance.
The star-powered group got 17 total pressures on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who completed just 22 of his 32 pass attempts for 137 yards, one interception and a 64.2 rating. .
The Week 3 defensive line pressures will be fewer than the 27 recorded by Bosa and Co. against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, but the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year felt the group worked better as a unit.
Defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave led the group in quarterback pressures, and they were even better against the run, allowing just 29 rushing yards on 11 carries.
“I think tonight, all around as a unit, was one of the best performances,” Bosa said. “Well, the best show we’ve ever had. Hurry to win, everyone, so fast. Sometimes very strong where [Jones] can release it. But the interior, Arik and Javon have really good games today.
The offense also had an outstanding performance against the Giants’ stout defense. After a somewhat inconsistent first drive, quarterback Brock Purdy and the offense settled down and went to work, delivering several long drives to get another 30-point performance.
With wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk sidelined with a shoulder injury, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle all went to work, contributing 441 yards of total net offense on Thursday night.
Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ Week 3 PFF grades
offense:
QB Brock Purdy – 61.1
Once the second-year quarterback adjusted to the Giants’ pressure, the offense got into its swing. Purdy moved the ball down the field effectively with a 108.5 passer rating when blitzed.
Purdy’s accuracy on intermediate throws remains his sweet spot. The signal-caller completed six of his seven attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown on targets 10-to-19 yards downfield. Through three games, Purdy has connected on 19 of his 21 attempts for 324 yards, two touchdowns and a 150.5 passer rating on intermediate attempts.
RB Christian McCaffrey – 69.9
The All-Pro running back scored a touchdown for the 12th straight game and did it in his usual bruising style. McCaffrey, who led the league with 12 missed tackles forced added four more in Week 3. Also notable is that 45 of McCaffrey’s 85 total rushing yards came after contact.
WR Deebo Samuel – 88.6
Samuel, like McCaffrey, paid off anyone who tried to tackle him. The “wide back’s” six missed tackles forced now lead all NFL receivers for a single game. 78 of Samuel’s 129 receiving yards came after the catch, giving him an average of 13 yards per reception after the ball was in his hands.
TE George Kittle – 76.2
The All-Pro tight end had his best receiving game of the season with seven receptions on nine targets for 90 yards, 45 of which came after the catch. Kittle also forced two missed tackles and registered two first downs.
Offensive line:
LT Trent Williams – 76.4 overall grade, 90.6 pass blocking (no pressure)
LG Aaron Banks – 47.5 overall grade, 19.9 pass blocking (two hits, one rush)
C Jake Brendel – 46.4 overall grade, 20.3 pass blocking (three hurries)
RG Spencer Burford – 69.3 overall grade, 39.3 pass blocking (one sack, three hurries)
RT Colton McKivitz – 66.1 overall grade, 78.6 pass blocking (no pressure)
McCaffrey is responsible for a rush.
Defense:
Line of defense
Javon Hargrave – 93.0 overall grade, 92.3 pass rush (one sack, one hit, one hurry)
Nick Bosa – 92.8 overall grade, 91.5 pass rush (one sack, one hit, four hurries)
Arik Armstead – 91.5 overall grade, 91.3 pass rush (one hit, one rush)
Javon Kinlaw – 78.1 overall grade, 81.8 (four hurries on just 15 pass-rush snaps)
Clelin Ferrell – 71.2 overall score, 68.9 pass rush (one rush)
Drake Jackson – 69.2 overall grade, 66.1 pass rush (one rush)
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safeties Isaiah Oliver and Tashaun Gipson were responsible for one quarterback rush each.
Pass coverage:
LB Oren Burks – 90.1 coverage grade
In 21 defensive snaps, Burks was targeted five times, allowing four catches for just 13 receiving yards. The linebacker also registered five total tackles and four stops while on the field with the defense.
CB Charvarius Ward – 79.0 coverage grade
Ward was targeted six times and allowed three receptions for 22 yards – just two yards after the catch. The veteran cornerback forced an incompletion, which landed in the hands of Talanoa Hufanga for an interception, and two pass breakups.
LB Fred Warner – 76.7 coverage grade
Warner allowed three catches on three targets, but only for 22 yards while also recording one run stop.
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