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In reply to the discussion: The 49ers are looking like the class of the NFL [View all]Auggie
(32,418 posts)1): This came as a surprise perhaps, but San Francisco's O-line dominated the Dallas D-line most of the night, moving them backward on a majority of run plays. Blocks are one thing, but to move the D-line backwards, consistently, is something else. Credit Dallas for holding the the 49ers rushing total to "just" 170 yards (it could have been a lot more) and for the handful of passes they knocked kdown.
2): 49er receivers were so wide open. Where was the Dallas secondary? Credit either awesome routes and misdirection by S.F. or a Dallas secondary that was simply outplayed and overwhelmed.
3): Brock Purdy is looking like a version of Joe Cool. Comfortable in the pocket, able to loft or drill passes with precision, making great reads, and in total command. Kudos to QB coach Brian Griese for the mentoring, Shanahan (and his coaches) for the system, and to Purdy, who has bought into it lock, stock and barrel.
4): Impact linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw had a career defining game. Greenlaw was tasked with "spying" for draws and scrambles by Prescott as well. The 49ers defense had been burned in previous games in which the pass rush penetrated so deeply it left huge holes open in the middle for QBs to run. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks finally (IMO) addressed this and assigned the perfect player, Greenlaw, to contain Prescott. Warner, meanwhile, employed the usual mayhem. These guys are awesome together.
5): This was supposedly the early-season test game against a potential playoff opponent, not the rebuilding Steelers or Rams, the injured Cardinals, or hapless New York Giants. Maybe Chris Collinsworth said it best (paraphrasing) "Either San Francisco is a lot better than everyone thought or Dallas isn't that good."
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