SANTA CLARA — The 49ers prolonged their scorching streak Saturday on a day through which unbearably chilly climate was the story round many of the remainder of the NFL.
Quarterback Brock Purdy continued his regular play with a pair of landing passes to tight finish George Kittle within the 49ers’ 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium.
Ray-Ray McCloud obtained the scoring began within the first quarter with an explosive 71-yard landing run. It was his solely carry of the sport and he had no receptions on one goal.
The 49ers (11-4) picked up their eighth consecutive win — and their third in a row with Purdy because the starter. They continue to be at No. 3 within the NFC playoff seedings behind the Minnesota Vikings (12-3), a 27-24 winner of the New York Giants earlier within the day.
Listed below are three takeaways from the 49ers’ Week 16 win:
Bosa strengthens DPOY case
Defensive finish Nick Bosa was considered one of six 49ers chosen to the NFC Professional Bowl group this week, and subsequent up: A potential NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr honor.
Bosa continued his outstanding season with two sacks on Saturday, elevating his NFL-leading season at the moment to 17.5 for the season. He picked up 15.5 sacks final season.
Bosa pulled right into a tie with Fred Dean (1983) for the second-most sacks in a single season in franchise historical past. Aldon Smith registered 19.5 sacks in 2012 to set the 49ers report.
Bosa additionally thwarted a two-point conversion try with a fourth-quarter sack of Carson Wentz. Nonetheless, that play doesn’t formally depend as a sack within the stat sheet.
The 49ers have two video games remaining within the common season for Bosa to problem Smith’s report.
Bosa’s second sack of the day led on to factors, as he stripped Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke with a blindside hit. Jordan Willis recovered the fumble on the 12-yard line.
Kicker Robbie Gould cashed in with considered one of his three fourth-quarter subject objectives.
Purdy throws deep strike for rating
There may be little doubt Purdy is aware of the place to go together with the ball and tips on how to get it out shortly and precisely.
The one concern that contributed to Purdy remaining accessible till the ultimate total choose within the 2022 NFL Draft was his arm power, however he confirmed Saturday that he has loads of arm to make the throws required of NFL quarterbacks.
Purdy completed the best way with 15 completions on 2 makes an attempt for 234 yards with two landing passes and one interception thrown.
Washington needed to remove San Francisco’s run sport and restrict their means to show brief passes into huge video games, leaving the 49ers a gap to make a giant play down the sphere, and Purdy made the Commanders pay with a wonderfully thrown deep ball to Kittle that gave the 49ers a 14-7 lead early within the third quarter.
Purdy took a snap out of the shot gun. He appeared left, then straightened up and stepped right into a deep throw down the center. Kittle beat the protection of security Darrick Forrest to haul within the go simply as he was crossing the aim line for a 34-yard rating.
Purdy and Kittle attached for one more landing on the 49ers’ subsequent drive. This time, it had a very completely different look.
Kittle took a brief go from Purdy, who rolled left on a bootleg. Kittle caught the go on the 27, picked up a block from Jauan Jennings, then angled his approach throughout the sphere and into the top zone for a 33-yard landing.
Kittle surpassed his earlier profession excessive of six touchdowns, which he set final season.
Commanders go after Lenoir
There are few areas on the 49ers’ protection that has allowed the opposition any hope of attacking, and the Commanders went after the most-unproven participant on the unit Saturday.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir made his tenth consecutive begin since Emmanuel Moseley sustained a season-ending knee damage in Week 5 at Carolina.
The 49ers went deeper into their depth on Sunday when Charvarius Ward exited the sport within the third quarter. Rookie cornerback Sam Womack changed him, and the Commanders instantly went after him on a 51-yard go to Terry McLaurin.
Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke focused Lenoir on the primary sequence of the sport with a deep throw for rookie receiver Jahan Dotson. Lenoir overran the play, and Dotson dropped what might have resulted in a 79-yard landing go.
Lenoir later gave up an 11-yard go to Dotson on a third-and-9 state of affairs. Dotson beat him for 44 yards on a play that was nullified by offsetting penalties.
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The Commanders tied the rating late within the second quarter when Dotson obtained free alongside the again line of the top zone for a 4-yard landing. Lenoir had the shallow zone on that aspect on the play, whereas it seems as if Professional Bowl security Talanoa Hufanga was finally the particular person in protection.
The 49ers’ protection was stellar for many of the sport Saturday. Groups will proceed to search for methods to maneuver the ball towards the 49ers, and going after Lenoir could possibly be the trail their postseason foes try to observe.
