EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Here is how the 49ers (6-3) graded in Sunday’s 34-24 win over the host New York Giants (2-7):
PASS OFFENSE: A-
Mac Jones’ sensational first half saw him complete all 14 of his passes, including touchdown strikes to Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings on the first two drives to take a lead the 49ers would not relinquish. Jones finished 19-of-24 for 235 yards and posted a 135.2 passer rating that was his best in seven starts with the 49ers and second-best of his five-year career. Jones blamed himself for taking too long on a play that was a strip sack rather than a potential touchdown pass. Seven players had a catch longer than 10 yards, and it was rookie Jordan Watkins’ 19-yard grab over the middle that Kyle Shanahan raved most about afterward.
RUN OFFENSE: A-
McCaffrey not only led the 49ers in receiving (five catches, 67 yards, touchdown) but also rushing with his second 100-yard game this season (106 yards, 28 carries, touchdown). More eye-opening was Brian Robinson’s season-best 53 yards on five carries, highlighted by his fourth-quarter touchdown run. Spencer Burford made his first career start at left guard and relished playing next to Trent Williams in the 39-carry, 159-yard rushing attack.
PASS DEFENSE: B
Losing Mykel Williams to a potential ACL tear with four minutes will further depletes this unit. It’s a good thing the 49ers scored their most points in a game this season, because the Giants chipped away in the fourth quarter behind play-making rookie Jaxson Dart. Clelin Ferrell debuted with a sack and Sam Okuyainonu also had one. In coverage, Deommodore Lenoir failed to take down tight end Theo Johnson on an opening-drive touchdown, while Renardo Green and Ji’Ayir Brown later broke up potential touchdown passes.
RUN DEFENSE: B-
Tatum Bethune racked up 16 tackles and delivered some big hits, as did rookie Upton Stout on a second-drive effort that sparked the unit. The Giants lacked oomph without rookie Cam Skattebo, but Dart ran for a team-high 56 yards on eight carries, the same number of runs by Devin Singletary (43 yards).
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-
Eddy Pineiro made both his field-goal attempts and improved to 19-of-19 on the season. He snuck a 54-yard field goal over the crossbar for a 17-7 lead 1:55 before halftime, and his five field goal over 50 yards are one shy of David Akers’ 2011 club record. Brian Robinson’s 41-yard kick return set up McCaffrey’s fourth-quarter touchdown run.
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COACHING: A-
Kyle Shanahan and his staff did it again, rebounding from a loss with an uplifting win. The offense scored its most points all year after averaging 20 points, the lowest mark in Shanahan’s tenure through eight games.
