49ers defense rattles Spencer in 26-21 win

Fred Warner and the San Francisco 49ers defense are the reason the team has started out 2-0.

“It was a huge, big-time win,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Lots of stuff went good in the game, lots of stuff went real bad. I thought every phase, offense, even special teams, really contributed in that win. That was real cool.

A lot of questions were raised in the offseason whether the defense, once again led by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, could get back to being a Top 5 defense this season. The defense lost key pieces in linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and corner back Charvarius Ward to free agency while the team released defensive linemates Javon Kinlaw and Leonard Floyd.

Whether it’s been the familiarity with Saleh’s system or players like linebacker Dee Winters standing out, the 49ers defensive got younger and they’re hoping the new bloodline of players like Mykel Williams, Upton Stout and Renardo Green can fill the void by throwing them into the fire.

Thus was the case on Sunday when the 49ers went down to bayou for its second straight road game and took down the New Orleans Saints 26-21. The defense was going to need to have a second straight good performance especially with the loss of quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end Geroge Kittle who were out with their respective injuries.

Mac Jones made his first start in a 49ers uniform. It was a Jekyll and Hyde game for the fifth-year quarterback who looked poised and showed flashes of brilliance at times and at other times looked indecisive and hesitant in the pocket.

Jones finished 26 of 39 for 279 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jones looked like a poised veteran when he hit running back Christian McCaffery with a nice lob into the end zone that only McCaffery could have caught. Also, when Jones hit Jauan Jennings in stride for a 42-yard touchdown on a post pattern.

“Trent (Williams) came up to me and was like, ‘You’re good, dude, just go out there and hoop,’” Jones said. “And I was like, ‘I got you. I can go hoop.’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘All right, let’s go out and play ball.’ So that was kinda cool.”

However, Jones was sacked three times and one of those resulted in a fumble recovered by the Saints. Jones had trouble reading pressure and made poor throws throughout the game.

McCaffery once again finished with over 100 all-purpose yards with 107, (55 rushing and 52 receiving on six receptions that led the team). Backup tight end Luke Ferrell did his best Kittle impression when he opened the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter. Jennings led the Niners receivers with 10 targets and in yardage with 89.

Newly appointed kicker Eddy Pineiro gave flashbacks of Jake Moody when he shanked his first extra point attempt. Pineiro shook it off as he was perfect the rest of the day with two field goals and converted the other two extra points.

San Francisco’s defense took advantage of a young and inexperienced quarterback in Spencer Rattler. The second year QB out of South Carolina is in his first season as the Saints starter after the retirement of Derek Carr in the offseason.

There will be growing pains for Rattler this year and the 49ers defense provided many of them in the Caesars Superdome. Yes, Rattler did throw for three touchdowns in the game and had some nice throws down the field but when pressured by the 49ers front four, Rattler rushed his throws and underthrew his receivers when they ran deep routes down the field. Rattler was sacked three times for 21 yards.

Star running back Alvin Kamara was the best offensive player for New Orleans as he rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries while also contributing six receptions for 21 yards.

Nick Bosa once again saved his best for the end. New Orleans had a chance to take the lead under four minutes left in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 6 from the Saint’s 14-yard line, Bosa sacked Rattler to end the drive on a three and out.

Bryce Huff sealed the victory for San Francisco with 57 seconds left in the game when he rushed in from the left end and stripped the ball out of the hands of Rattler on 4th and 2 at the Saint’s 42-yard line that was eventually recovered by a Saints lineman as New Orleans turned the ball over on downs.

“Just be one of 11 guys doing your job — nobody has to be Superman,” Warner said. “They’re the ones that have to be Superman in those moments. All the pressure is on them, especially without a run game (due to the clock).”

The 49ers are going to need more close-out performances by their defense in the next month as the offense will be without Purdy and Kittle. Jones will need that time to continue to work on his timing with his receivers and establish a chemistry with them.

San Francisco looks to keep their winning streak going when the return to Santa Clara and play their home opener against divisional foe the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday September 21 at 1:25pm at Levi’s Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on the FOX Network.