You don’t win the Super Bowl in October, but right now there’s no team that seems closer to the Holy Grail than the San Francisco 49ers.
All week we’ve been talking about the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys as a shock at the top of the National Conference. There was no shock at the end and even less at the top as the 49ers completely and utterly dominated by a score of 42-10.
The Cowboys entered the game with the number one defense in the league in terms of points allowed. However, the 49ers brutally trampled that defense, scoring 30-plus points for the fifth straight game to open the season, a first in franchise history.
Young quarterback Brock Purdy had his first four-touchdown game of his career. We’ll come back to this later…
Tight end George Kittle had his first three-touchdown game. Pass catchers are not only talented, but also extremely physical.
Even in a rare game where Christian McCaffrey wasn’t a running monster, the ground game managed to rack up 140 yards.
And the defense in all this? Three interceptions at the expense of Dak Prescott, a forced fumble and three quarterback sacks sum up the brutal destruction inflicted on the Cowboys with no solutions. Linebacker Fred Warner (eight tackles, one interception, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble) may be recognized, but the fact remains that he is not fully appreciated.
In this one-and-done matchup, the 49ers were the most aggressive, physical and intimidating team. They broke any willpower the Cowboys had by beating them and making them pay the price. A really good spanking!
Fred Warner (54) and the 49ers defense celebrated after the linebacker forced a fumble. Getty Images via AFP
Purdy stands up
Let’s return briefly to the Brock Purdy case. Is it because so many fans and media analysts continue to doubt him because he was the last pick in last year’s draft?
Yes, there are those who enjoy his story, but there are also those who argue that Purdy was simply in the right place at the right time, in a crowded club led by an offensive guru in Kyle Shanahan.
It’s a very simplified way of looking at things. It’s obvious that Purdy was in an ideal environment as he was surrounded by the likes of Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, but he deserves more consideration.
He still hasn’t lost a game as a starter, except for the game in which he injured his elbow in the conference finals against the Eagles last January.
In nine of his 12 complete games as a starter, he threw at least two touchdown passes. The worst thing is that he keeps improving. He has completed 72.1% of his passes this season, a 5% improvement from last season. He has yet to make an interception this season. Only one other starting quarterback can say the same thing, another promising youngster, CJ Stroud of the Texans.
As for the argument that Purdy is just Shanahan’s puppet with his favorable offensive scheme, it would need to be explained why Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t have as much of an impact despite his much greater experience. Neither do everyone else who has had to play under Shanahan in recent years, whether Josh Johnson, Nick Mullens, CJ Beathard, Trey Lance or others.
And most importantly, don’t think that Purdy is just a game manager, as conservative pivot players call it. Against the Cowboys, he was 7 of 10 on passes of 10 yards or more through the air for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
In short, the Niners really seem to have gotten their hands on a gem.
Before the competition
The 49ers, like the Eagles, remain undefeated. Of course, we also have to consider the Eagles as serious contenders, but it’s clear that they don’t crush the competition like the Niners, who have beaten four of their five rivals by at least 18 points. The cowboys are also considered serious, but they just got a bad dose of humility!
In the American Conference, of course, there is the Chiefs, but there are some questions about the offense, which has only exceeded 30 points once. The Dolphins’ offense is proven, but is their defense masterful? The Bills are plagued by injuries and lack consistency.
The truth is that nothing is won for the 49ers, but if you had to bet right now, they are definitely the team to beat.
5 KEY MOMENTS
1. Run, De’Von, run!
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The Dolphins definitely got a steal in the third round of the last draft when they got their hands on running back De’Von Achane. He once again demonstrated his incredible speed when he scored a touchdown on a 76-yard run that ran like the wind. In addition, he has recorded at least 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in three straight games, a first for a rookie running back since Mike Anderson with the Broncos in 2000. Achane, who racked up 151 rushing yards against the Giants, scored seven touchdowns in his first four games in the NFL, which was unprecedented in the Super Bowl era.
2. Like father, like son
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When the offense is asleep, the wake-up call has to come from the defense or special teams. For the Steelers, the first blow to galvanize the troops came when a Ravens punt was blocked in their end zone, leading to a sure touchdown. However, the most important play came two series later. With a 10-8 lead, the Ravens had a chance to put the game out of reach. At the goal, Lamar Jackson saw his pass intercepted by Joey Porter Jr., the son of legendary linebacker Joey Porter, who also had the ability to make big plays for the Steelers. Pittsburgh took the ball back and then scored the touchdown that proved to be the game-winning one when Kenny Pickett connected with George Pickens on a 41-yard run.
3. The king braked
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The Titans and Colts fought a heated battle. A key factor in the Colts’ victory was the fourth quarter, when they defended a 20-16 lead. With the ball, the Titans were in the midst of propelling a productive 70-yard offensive drive when the sky fell. On a four-down situation with one yard to go, they made the logical decision and ran off their horse, Derrick Henry. However, King Henry was stopped and the Colts then orchestrated an 84-yard sequence that took seven minutes in which they increased their cushion with a field goal.
4. A flight from Hutchinson
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Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is enjoying phenomenal growth in his second season in the NFL. Not only is he among the leaders when it comes to pressure placed on quarterbacks, but he also facilitates big plays in every aspect. This was also the case against the Panthers when he made a very athletic interception by grabbing the ball with one hand on a disguised pass from Bryce Young intended for Ian Thomas. Hutchinson is the third player in history with at least ten sacks and at least four interceptions in his first two seasons, joining Shaquille Leonard (Colts) and Brian Urlacher (Bears).
5. The Jets close the door
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The Broncos can’t buy a win. They trailed 24-21 at the end of the game against the Jets and were threatening as they neared midfield as their dream ended. Quarterback Russell Wilson tried to escape the pressure, but Quincy Williams got behind him and batted the ball away. Bryce Hall ran down the sideline and grabbed the ball on the rebound to bring it back into the end zone and give the Jets a 31-21 lead. It was an expected win as there hadn’t been a win since week one.
WINNER OF THE WEEK
1. The Jaguars
The London air was very good for the Jaguars. They came into England last week with a record of one win and two losses. They return to Jacksonville with a record of three wins and two losses, including a great performance against the Bills with a 25-20 win.
2. Zack Moss
A few days after the Colts finally agreed to a contract extension with their star running back Jonathan Taylor, it was another running back who reminded us that he shouldn’t be forgotten. Zack Moss shone with 165 yards and two touchdowns in a 23:16 win against the Titans.
3. Desmond Ridder
The Falcons quarterback hasn’t received much love this early in the season, and for good reason. As more fans called for a change, he responded with his best game of his career in a 21-19 win over the Texans, with 329 yards, a touchdown pass and another rushing major. At least he has the merit to persevere.
4. Ja’Marr Chase
Last week, the Bengals receiver complained that he should have the ball more because he was always open. You have to believe he was right because he played a big role in the 34-20 win over the Cardinals with 15 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
5. Haason Reddick
The best people stand up when it matters most. That’s what Eagles outside linebacker Haason Reddick did, snuffing out the Rams’ last gasps with back-to-back sacks on third and fourth downs.
LOSER OF THE WEEK
1. The Giants
It’s one thing to lose, but it’s another to put your quarterback’s life at risk every week. In the 31-16 loss to the Dolphins, Daniel Jones suffered six sacks and left the team after suffering a neck injury. The Giants gave up 18 sacks in two weeks. Eighteen!
2. The Patriots
The Pats are unrecognizable! A week after the worst loss of his career, with a 35-point lead against the Cowboys, Bill Belichick suffered the worst defeat of his life this time at home, 0:34 against the Saints. The Pats have scored one offensive touchdown in their last three games.
3. Ravens receiver
Poor Lamar Jackson! The summary suggests he had a normal game in the 17-10 loss to the Steelers (22 in 38, 236 yards, no touchdowns, one interception), but his receivers were pathetic, dropping seven passes. Shame on you!
4. The bills
The loss to the Jaguars combined with the Dolphins win hurts. The knee injury to outstanding linebacker Matt Milano hurts the most. A week after Tre’Davious White’s loss, there are two big defensive losses in quick succession.
5. The Vikings
Not only are the Vikings in a miserable situation with a record of one win and four losses, but they also lost the services of Justin Jefferson to a leg injury in the 27-20 loss to the Chiefs. Be continued…