QUARTERBACK B-
Alex Smith had an 86.9 passer rating. But he held the ball too long on
several of the four sacks he took, one of which turned into a fumble.
RUNNING BACKS A
Frank Gore, playing four days after his mother died, had 2 TDs, including
43-yard run on a fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter.
RECEIVERS C-
Didn't get open as quickly as they should vs. team without its top two
corners. Darrell Jackson had 61 yards, but an early deep pass got through his
hands.
OFFENSIVE LINE C-
Pass protection was not consistent. Run-blocking didn't generate a lot of
space, either. 49ers averaged just 3.8 yards per play, and that starts up
front.
DEFENSIVE LINE B+
Bryant Young had an exceptional game with six tackles, two sacks. Isaac
Sopoaga made a couple of nice plays and the line helped bottle up Steven
Jackson.
LINEBACKERS C
Patrick Willis continues to show the reasons the 49ers chose him with the
No. 11 pick. Manny Lawson gave up a play in coverage but also had seven
tackles and a sack.
DEFENSIVE BACKS C-
A mixed bag. Walt Harris struggled most of the game, but had nice plays
on third downs. Nate Clements changed the game when he forced Torry Holt
fumble.
SPECIAL TEAMS A
Andy Lee had a big game, including a 71-yard punt. Joe Nedney kicked a
40-yard FG for the winning points. The coverage units were outstanding.
COACHING/OVERALL B-
The offense was conservative to a fault, but the 49ers still managed the
victory. It doesn't matter how they did it, they did it.
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