We like order and predictability. While we aren’t always going to get the result of each and every game correct, we can generally get the process and expectation pretty accurately. That was the case for the NFC West, as, in the case of three of the four teams, they are set to make some noise in January. Now, let’s give out some Week 17 grades while we look towards Week 18.
Week 17 NFC West Grades
San Francisco 49ers
Offense – A
Now that is a performance. Brock Purdy showed up and threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception. To take things to the next level, Purdy showed off some versatility with six carries for 28 yards, but more importantly, two more touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey rushed for 140 yards and added another 41 through the air. George Kittle was sidelined, but Jake Tonges stepped in without issue, catching seven passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Ricky Pearsall also had a strong game with five catches for 85 yards as everything worked according to plan here.
Defense – D-
The only thing that’s keeping the 49ers from an “F” is the fact that they were victorious. They did just enough on the last drive of the game to preserve a victory, but there’s not much else positive that we can say. They failed to generate a sack or interception while allowing 38 points, 330 passing yards, and an average of five yards per carry.
Coaching – C
Split the difference here between offense and defense? Aside from shutting down Caleb Williams on the last drive, the 49ers didn’t offer up much in the way of resistance. Whether it was the run game or the passing game, Chicago did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. The hope here is that it’s just an outlier and it won’t carry through to the postseason.
Overall – B-
It certainly looked and felt like a playoff game. Based on all the injuries the 49ers were dealing with in the first half of the season, it felt as if this moment would never come. Now, San Francisco has a Week 18 game that feels like a playoff game with home-field advantage for the postseason on the table. Everyone gets credit for reaching this point.
