SANTA CLARA – The 49ers played one of their most impressive halves of football this season on Sunday, getting off to a strong start and a 20-point lead on the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers have lost 10 or more games for the fourth consecutive season – the worst such streak in franchise history. But they thrived in the role of the spoiler with a 20-14 victory over the Broncos.
The No. 1 overall draft pick is looking a little more questionable for the 49ers (3-10) after snapping a three-game losing streak, yet there will be no complaining anywhere within the organization. The Broncos (6-7) suffered a major blow to their AFC wild-card playoff hopes.
[BAY]All Things Red and Gold: San Francisco 49ers 2018-19 Season Highlights
Here are three takeaways from the 49ers' upset:
Kittle central focus of offense: Tight end George Kittle has become a star. We could have written that before Sunday’s game, but it is much easier to declare now.
Kittle has emerged this season as a top playmaker. This season has been a disaster for the 49ers, but they must feel secure in the knowledge that they can move forward in 2019 with Kittle in a starring role.
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Kittle had a first half for the ages, as he racked up seven receptions for 210 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. The play gave the 49ers a 13-0 lead, which was extended to 20-0 on Dante Pettis’ 1-yard TD catch.
Earlier this season, Kittle scored on an 82-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kittle had seven catches for 210 yards at halftime – just 4 yards shy of Shannon Sharpe’s all-time single-game NFL record for a tight end. He did not catch a pass in the second half.
Young and hungry: The final games of this season are not about this season at all. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the team has an eye to the future. And that was apparent on the defensive side of the ball.
The 49ers need to see what some of the young players bring to the table – and to the future of the organization.
The day belonged to rookie defensive backs D.J. Reed and Marcell Harris. Both came up with some big plays in the 49ers’ defensive backfield.
Reed, playing in place of injured K’Waun Williams, had a team-high 12 combined tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss. Harris, making his second start at strong safety, made some big plays late in the game. He finished with seven total tackles, including two for losses.
The 49ers went with young players throughout. D.J. Jones started at nose tackle and played the most he has this season, as the 49ers kept veteran Earl Mitchell in reserve. Linebacker Elijah Lee started in place of Malcolm Smith.
The results were encouraging, as the 49ers’ defense looked young, fast and aggressive for the first time in a while.
Mullens continues to shine: Since taking over in Week 9, 49ers’ first-year quarterback Nick Mullens continues to do his job while earning one start after another after another. He will unquestionably be back as a starter next week when the 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks.
Mullens was solid in the first half, as he utilized Kittle and his run-after-the-catch skills. Mullens threw a perfect pass to Kittle on a crossing route to enable him to catch the ball in stride en route to an 85-yard touchdown. Mullens had 209 yards passing in the first half.
But Mullens got no help from his supporting cast in the second half.
Slot receiver Trent Taylor failed to catch a pass that hit his hands in the fourth quarter. The deflected pass ended up as Mullens’ only interception. On the next drive, Pettis dropped an easy third-down pass on a crossing route that would have extended a drive and provided a big gain.
Pettis later helped out Mullens with a 31-yard reception on a third-and-7 play with more than 3:30 remaining. Taylor later picked up a big first down with a 6-yard catch on third-and-3.
Mullens finished with 20 completions in 33 attempts for 332 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 102.1.
The 49ers have been unable to close out games this season, and Sunday they stumbled around after jumping out to the big first-half lead.
