5 Winners a 1 loser from the 49ers win over the Titans

The San Francisco 49ers looked the part in Week 15 against an inferior opponent in a convincing 13-point victory. The path to the No. 1 seed is clear, but the 49ers still have three difficult games to go and must handle their business.

Before we look ahead, let’s get into the Winners and Losers from the Niners’ win over the Titans.

Winners

Brock Purdy’s mobility

When the 49ers’ offense peaks, it’s because their quarterback is making plays off-script. Purdy attempted 23 passes when he had longer than 2.5 seconds to throw. He completed 17 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns on those throws. Purdy picked up a trio of first downs with his legs, including a 26-yard scamper.

When Purdy was scrambling outside of the pocket, he had a few throws that were down the field that resulted in first downs. When he is on the run, the offense has its best opportunity to generate explosive plays. That will come in handy during the final three games.

Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall had as many targets in Week 15 as he did in Weeks 12 and 13 combined. You could see there was a concerted effort to get Pearsall the ball. He had a terrific matchup against a banged-up secondary that had an undrafted free agent cornerback. Pearsall did not disappoint.

Pearsall generated 9.1 receiving EPA, which was the fifth-most in Week 15 among all wideouts. He also averaged 2.8 yards of separation on those targets on 13.3 air yards per target. Those are WR1 numbers. Pearsall being targeted down the field will keep defenses honest and will force you to defend the entire field. Purdy targeted him 30 percent of the time.

Everything about the Purdy to Pearsall duo on Sunday was ideal. He saw more usage in the slot and had a season-high at one point. That might be the easiest way to get Pearsall the ball moving forward.

George Kittle

Kittle is the engine that makes this passing offense go. He’s incredible. Kittle had 29 percent of the targets. That tells me the 49ers came out of the bye week and realized they are going to go down swinging with their two best players, as they should.

The lone YAC bro remaining, Kittle had 78 yards after the catch. The lone YAC bro remaining, Kittle had 78 yards after the catch, which was 44 more yards than the rest of the 49ers pass catchers combined. Kittle finished with 88 receiving yards, but the way he avoided tackles and turned short passes into big plays should not be taken for granted.

It seems simple. If Kittle is featured in the passing game, the 49ers offense thrives.

Situational offense

The 49ers were exceptional on third and fourth down, as well as in the red zone on offense. They were 10-for-16 on late downs. The offense generated an EPA of 0.77 per play on late downs with a 75 percent success rate. Those are video game numbers. Those stats rise to 0.85 with an 83 percent success rate through the air.

Converting that many third downs is how you end up with three drives that chew up over six minutes off the clock and keep your defense off the field. But you still have to convert touchdowns when you get inside the red zone.

The 49ers scored touchdowns on four of their six red zone drives. One field goal attempt was right before the half, while another happened on a holding penalty. For the most part, the Niners stayed out of long down and distance situations. When they do that, this offense can score against anybody. With how the secondary looked, they’ll need to.

Losers

The Secondary

The secondary play was inexcusable in Week 15. These are the types of games fans will forget, then think it’s a one-off example, all of a sudden, when an offense with a pulse is throwing the ball all over the defense. The Titans do not have competent wide receivers.

There are no scenarios where Gunnar Helm should be catching 34-yard passes for touchdowns. Before yesterday, Van Jefferson hadn’t had a reception longer than 23 yards all season. If Cam Ward hadn’t missed him, Jefferson would have had two.

It’s easy to point the finger at the pass rush and absolve the secondary for their issues. On Helm’s touchdown, Ward took a five-step drop and launched it deep. Deommodore Lenoir chased the route out of his zone, making it an easy pitch and catch.

On the double move that Green got beaten on right before the half, Clelin Ferrell walked the left tackle back into Ward’s lap. Green, Upton Stout, and Lenoir were all three steps behind the receiver they were defending:

Green and Stout are to the bottom, while Lenoir is playing catch-up on the right hash. It’s why coverage stats are fluky. You only get credit when you’re targeted. But the reality, especially in Lenoir’s case this season, has been that he’s been more lucky than good in 1-on-1 situations.

Catching the ball was a challenge for both safeties. Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha both dropped easy interceptions. When they are 1-on-1 in coverage down the field, their ability to judge the flight of the ball is subpar. Those two are quality players when they are asked to play downhill and come forward, but it’s an adventure with those two on deep passes.

On Jefferson’s 43-yarder, Lenoir didn’t look like he thought Jefferson would run deep, and Mustapha tried to “basket catch” the pass instead of attacking the ball at its highest point. CJ West hit Ward’s arm, so the argument in favor of the pass rush can’t be used:

This secondary will be under the microscope for the rest of the season. This unit has to be much better than it was in Week 15.

Winners

Jauan Jennings

Kyle Shanahan has a firm understanding of where Jennings excels as a player. On 3rd and goal from the four-yard line, Jennings, who has primarily lined up as an outside receiver, was in the slot here. He ran a “return” route and used his big frame to shield the defender and haul in a touchdown. Give the offensive line some credit here, as Purdy had about 3.43 seconds to throw without any pressure.

Jennings’ next red-zone target came as an isolated receiver, where he won on an out route. That’s where he’s at his best, breaking outside. Jennings created separation, and the throw was uncontested. Jennings couldn’t hold onto a 3rd & 11 pass right before the half. I guess, technically, it was a drop, and one Jennings would like to have back. But it’s telling that he is the player Shanahan isolates on third downs and in the red zone.

A healthy Jennings has plenty of value in this offense.