There wasn’t much room for optimism around Levi’s Stadium following the 49ers’ 44-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7.
Buy 49ers TicketsSan Francisco eventually proved overmatched in a rematch with the team that broke 49er hearts in the Super Bowl three seasons ago, presenting plenty of questions about the defense and the direction of a team many saw as a contender going into the year.
It’s sure to be a difficult Monday in the film room for the Niners, but there were some bright spots even in a game where missed opportunities and a complete defensive collapse proved costly.
Unsurprisingly, though, each of those bright spots came on the offensive side of the ball.
Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey only touched the ball 10 times in his 49er debut, but the potential impact he could have this season was clear for all to see.
He showed explosiveness, vision and the ability to make defenders miss in finishing with 38 yards on eight carries, while he also added 24 yards on two receptions.
Kyle Shanahan said after the game that McCaffrey will have the full playbook under his belt in time for next week’s critical game with the Rams. His performance in a cameo role in this one suggests McCaffrey could have a massive influence against the Niners’ biggest division rivals with a full week to prepare.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Sticking with the run game and the man McCaffrey may well supplant as the starting back next week.
Wilson only had seven carries but averaged 7.7 yards per attempt as a 49er offensive line that struggled in pass protection at key junctures had no issue opening up holes on the ground.
Game script ensured the 49ers had to get away from the run, but the efficiency they displayed on the ground indicated this part of the San Francisco offense could be set for an upturn if the defense can return to the kind of form that will allow Shanahan to lean on his running backs more often.
Brandon Aiyuk & George Kittle's surges
Having been afterthoughts in the offense in previous weeks, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle were productive for a 49er passing game that did move the ball consistently.
Kittle enjoyed his best performance of the season with 98 yards receiving and a touchdown while Aiyuk had 82 yards on seven catches.
Aiyuk has 15 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks, though in that time the 49er offense has managed only 37 points.
“We got too many people who can change the game to score 23 points,” Aiyuk said after the game.
His assessment is accurate, but the 49ers’ failure to keep up with the Chiefs is not a product of an inability to move that ball. Garoppolo and his pass-catchers are doing that well. It is a lack of execution in opposition territory that is costing them.
But, with Aiyuk and Kittle excelling and McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel providing versatile threats, the offense could soon deliver much more productive games if the San Francisco attack can clean up those issues in the red zone
