- 10 months ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Number 1 pick in this past NFL Draft, Cam Ward making his 14th start today, coming off his 2nd win.
00:07Meanwhile, Brock Purdy was the 262nd pick.
00:10He gets set to go trying to ride a 3-game win streak for the Niners.
00:22Final 4 games of the regular season and plenty to play for, especially if you're the San Francisco 49ers.
00:28In a long jam of a playoff chase in the NFC, they get set to host the Tennessee Titans, who are coming off their 2nd win of the season.
00:37That will welcome you inside the broadcast booth in Santa Clara, Adam Amin, the future Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
00:41A lot of smoke behind us right now, and a lot of interesting stuff to look at for the 49ers.
00:46Kyle Shanahan had a very interesting quote this week.
00:48He got back to work on Monday and said it's the first day of school all over again.
00:52They could be the number 1 seed in a month.
00:54They could be the NFC West champion a month.
00:55They might be out of the playoffs in a month.
00:57A lot to play for the next 4 weeks.
00:58Yeah, but guess what? It still revolves around the big 3 for them.
01:01It's McCaffrey, it's Juszczyk, and it's George Kittle.
01:04How do we get these guys the ball as much as possible?
01:06But the Titans' defense is in tune with that as well.
01:09And so that's why I think today is a huge opportunity on the perimeter for guys like Ricky Pearsall, Jawan Jennings, to have a breakout game.
01:15Meanwhile, those Tennessee Titans that Drew was talking about, they get a win last week against Cleveland.
01:18You know the story.
01:19Midway through, Brian Callahan gets fired.
01:21San Francisco native Mike McCoy is at the helm.
01:24He got a win last week, so the vibes are much better this week.
01:26Yeah, and they found their formula last week.
01:29They rushed for over 180 yards.
01:31I think they're going to really need to ride those two running backs today, Tony Pollard and Tajay Spears.
01:36But for Cam Ward, I think he took huge steps last week as well in just being patient, finding his rhythm.
01:42And he's going to need to do that today against the heavy zone defense.
01:44Just take those completions, sustain drives, and score points.
01:47He was talking about Christian McCaffrey.
01:49We know that he is one of the straws that stirs the drink.
01:51Christina Pink has more down to the field.
01:53Yeah, he's the Niners' leading rusher and receiver.
01:56But he was a late addition to the injury report.
01:58Questionable coming into this one.
01:59The good news is Christian McCaffrey will play.
02:02And I'm told there was no concern that he was not going to take the field today.
02:05He just woke up with some back tightness on Saturday.
02:08Kyle Shanahan told me he's fine, no issues.
02:10But the big curveball today was actually Jordan Elliott tweaking his knee in pregame warm-ups.
02:15And he will be on the sideline.
02:17He is out today, Adam.
02:18That is a key piece up front for a San Francisco defense that has dealt with a ton of injury this year.
02:24They're dealing with another one today.
02:27Niners won the toss and deferred.
02:30So Chimray D.K., who's been a dangerous punt returner and leads the NFL in all-purpose yards,
02:35been great on the kick return as well.
02:37He's back to return this Eddie Pinheiro delivery.
02:40Bears won, so they are now the sixth seed as it stands right now.
02:45And the NFC playoff chase, the Niners have dropped down to seven.
02:49They can reclaim their spot at six with a win today.
02:52And we'll see what happens with the Rams at home against Detroit.
02:57D.K. takes a hard hit.
02:59Chase Lucas was in on that tackle right at the 30-yard line.
03:03He's a little bit slow to get up after that play.
03:10Special teams has been much improved for San Francisco, both in kicking and return game,
03:17as these last couple of months have gone.
03:20But Lucas is down after all that.
03:23Fourth-year man out of Arizona State.
03:24Put that shoulder into him.
03:4149ers have dealt with so many defensive injuries.
03:44Warner and Bosa obviously are at the top of that.
03:46And several rotation players have dealt with it.
03:49Now you've got Tennessee dealing with Mike Brown, who's been an excellent special teamer.
03:56He's dealt with a knee injury, though, this year.
03:58He got carried off.
03:59So right out of the gate, high-impact play.
04:01Nice to see Chase Lucas up on his feet and running off.
04:04So it is Tennessee's offense that starts on the field.
04:09And Cam Ward coming off his second win.
04:11Two-TD pass game for the first time.
04:13Only one sack.
04:14Pretty good considering those Miles Garrett and Cleveland on the other side.
04:17And they were going up against one of the better defenses in football last week.
04:21And really revolved on the run game.
04:23They found their run game.
04:23They've got two really home run hitters in Tony Pollard and Tajay Spears.
04:28And Cam Ward really needs to lean on those guys today.
04:31It's Pollard to start.
04:32And it's Pollard on the couch and a drop.
04:35So D. Winters closing in on him, the leading tackler for San Francisco.
04:40It's going to be second down for this Tennessee offense,
04:42coming off its best offensive game of the season last week.
04:45They rushed for over 180 yards last week.
04:48Cam Ward was very efficient.
04:49Threw a couple nice touchdown passes to these young receivers.
04:53But really up front, these guys have their work cut out for them
04:57against a penetrating front.
04:59And especially at the left tackle position with Udo making the start.
05:03And no Dan Moore today.
05:04He hurt his neck last week against Cleveland.
05:06So only Udo makes the left tackle start.
05:10Four yards for Tony Pollard against this San Francisco defense.
05:13I know they didn't play world-beating offenses the last couple of weeks.
05:15But they've only allowed 17 points the last two games.
05:18It's really amazing what they've been able to accomplish.
05:21Once they lost Boso, once they lost Fred Warner,
05:23they've got a really young secondary.
05:25But I'd say they're just playing a lot more zone than they would typically want to play.
05:30I'd say Sala typically likes to play a bit more man.
05:32They've gone more zone.
05:34But it seems that they found their personnel group, too,
05:37with heavy nickel personnel.
05:39But really, it's a big nickel.
05:41It's this third safety that provides great run support and also pass coverage.
05:45That's Jason Pinnock who backs into coverage here.
05:48He covers up the outlet for Spears.
05:50And Cam Ward being chased has to launch it away.
05:53Keon White, the former New England Patriot,
05:55who's been impactful since being traded to San Francisco,
05:59bringing some pressure on Ward.
06:00And this is what San Francisco's really gone to.
06:07It's a lot of zone coverage where they're just trying to keep a top on the offensive formation,
06:16but also just eyes on the quarterback, route reading, passing off a lot of these routes.
06:22They haven't been able to generate a lot of pressure with their front,
06:24but when the quarterback has to hold it that long, it allows you to.
06:27Very short punt, out of bounds, near the 30-yard line for Johnny Hecker.
06:32Just 36 yards.
06:34It's about 11 yards shy of league average.
06:36That's not what we're used to seeing from Johnny Hecker.
06:39So a decent field position for Brock Purdy and company.
06:42And this is the fourth straight start since coming back from a toe injury.
06:46He's won all of his three since the return.
06:49And Purdy had those three interceptions against Caroline in the first half,
06:53but other than that, he's been relatively sharp.
06:54And he's gotten better and better since that Monday night game against Caroline.
06:58And I would say those interceptions, really, you know, he's thrown more than usual this year.
07:03But a lot of it, they've been good decisions.
07:04It's just been, you know, off with the throw.
07:06And maybe it's a result of the toe, but he's finding his rhythm again.
07:10Purdy off the back foot, floats it out there for Ricky Pearsall,
07:14somebody you think might have an opportunity for a decent day.
07:17But Pearsall a little slow to get up after he picks up eight yards.
07:21Dealing with the knee injury pretty much all season and is limping after play number one from scrimmage.
07:28You can almost kind of see the frustration in his body language.
07:30Yeah, it looked like a drop tackle.
07:31You know, if you really look, that's exactly what it is.
07:33Yeah, hip drop tackle there from Kevin Winston Jr.
07:36But we need to get those out of the game.
07:40That could be a potential find there.
07:42There's Kittle as he's found by Brock Purdy for a first down to the 47-yard line.
07:48Pearsall and Kittle, the two catches.
07:50You see how frustrated Pearsall seems.
07:54He's a guy who was just about to say he's got an incredible opportunity today.
07:58I think he's going to get a lot of one-on-one matchups outside
08:00just based on the way this defense is going to have to play there.
08:04Purdy with some pressure.
08:05He finds big George Kittle.
08:08And Kittle takes it down 0-30 with back-to-back first down chain-moving grabs.
08:15Yeah, they're killing him with tempo right now.
08:17This is really a hallmark of this 49ers offense is the shifts, it's the motions,
08:20and you just catch a defense out of position,
08:23especially when it comes to these interior three.
08:30Purdy seems to be moving pretty well these last few games since the toe injury.
08:35And he ends up picking up four on the scramble.
08:39Certainly, the game plan early here is just to create tempo, rhythm.
08:4449ers operating in no huddle now for these last couple plays,
08:48really forcing this defense to have to react.
08:51Niners coming off a bye, so you think they're pretty well prepared coming into action today.
08:58There's McCaffrey close to the sticks.
09:00It'll be third down and short.
09:02Speaking of the bye, talking to Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan,
09:05he said just how much that was needed.
09:07You know, just feeling that, you know, certainly the play 13 games in a row
09:13and with the injuries that they've had and a lot of guys having to play
09:16maybe a lot more than would have been expected,
09:19you know, felt like they were dragging a little bit against Cleveland.
09:23Found a way to win that game and then going into bye week has them well rested.
09:28Purdy good on the sneak.
09:29I think he's got the first down to the 18-yard line and to the red zone.
09:37Trent Williams is right in the thick of things in the early part with Cody Barton
09:41and Jeffrey Simmons.
09:43That might be fun to watch if Simmons and Williams get matched up.
09:47We know everything kind of revolves around Simmons on this Tennessee defense.
09:50It does, and if you ever want to know where he is, just look for the red.
09:53Hard to miss.
09:55He's the big guy in the middle, wearing the red sleeves, wreaking havoc.
09:59On just about anybody that he lines up over.
10:02They've done better with generating pressure these last few weeks.
10:07Refresh center downs from the red zone.
10:10Niners have been very good in this area.
10:12Already got it to McCaffrey despite hitting the deck.
10:15And it's a short game for CMC.
10:17Wow.
10:19Got tripped up on that snap.
10:21Yeah, sometimes as a quarterback you just get stepped on.
10:24You know, your guards or centers, they're pulling, they're getting knocked back.
10:27Looks like left guard Spencer Burford.
10:32There's a reason I don't have a left big toenail.
10:35I've lost that for about 13 years straight.
10:39That's just part of doing business.
10:41That's just part of doing business.
10:43That's what you sign up for.
10:45Yeah, they put that in the fine print on the first count track.
10:48Second down and eight.
10:52Multiple motions as we often see.
10:54Purdy moving up and to his right.
10:57And he'll turn it into a game.
10:58He's pushed out by the leading tackler for Tennessee in Cedric Gray.
11:02Pick up a three in his third down.
11:04So Tennessee does a nice job here of just keeping a top on it.
11:12You know, they're trying to get McCaffrey on this wheel route here to the right.
11:15But as you just watch the interior, good job by the offensive line.
11:18But Purdy more so just the feel there.
11:20Hey, you got nothing.
11:21At least go make a positive play to get yourself, what, third and four as opposed to third and eight.
11:25Simmons matched up with Dominic Pune.
11:35Second-year guard out of Kansas.
11:38Third down and medium.
11:39Purdy over the middle.
11:40Past the sticks.
11:41First down to Demarcus Robinson.
11:44First down and goal for San Francisco.
11:46The veteran Robinson with his 14th catch in 11 games this year.
11:51Demarcus Robinson has not gotten a ton of action this year.
11:54But especially if Ricky Pearsall is going to be out, that is going to open up a lot of opportunities for him.
12:00And really, this is a game where Juwan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne,
12:05if given the opportunity, are going to have some one-on-one matchups outside.
12:08Because there's just so much attention that goes to McCaffrey and Juszczyk and Kittle
12:12that these guys have a chance to really make some plays today.
12:15Bourne is in there on the top side.
12:18Juszczyk is the fullback.
12:20Fake to McCaffrey.
12:22Purdy.
12:22Surveying and Smartly tosses it.
12:26Flag is thrown from the back of the end zone.
12:30In fact, there are two markers thrown.
12:35One around the five-yard line and one in the end zone.
12:38There are two fouls on the play.
12:45One on each team.
12:47Ineligible man downfield.
12:48Offense number 64.
12:50Holding.
12:51Defense number 36.
12:53Those penalties offset.
12:54Replay.
12:55First down.
12:55So, the Brendel holding penalty gets negated.
13:01And this defensive holding.
13:02They said 36.
13:03I think they meant 39.
13:05Darryl Baker, Jr.
13:06That certainly seems to be the case.
13:08There's the holding.
13:10So, we'll do it all over again.
13:11No Legereus Sneed.
13:16No Jalen Armour Davis today as well, once again, for Tennessee's back end on defense.
13:23McCaffrey pounds it to about the four, second and goal.
13:26They're stopping this run is always a huge priority, but something that the Tennessee Titans have
13:34really, over the last six weeks, have just decided, especially the way they started off
13:39this year, hey, we have to stop the run to give ourselves a chance.
13:43And they've been top five in stopping the run here over the last six weeks.
13:47And I think just this penetrating nature of the defensive front, especially with Jeffrey
13:51Simmons, Devondre Sweat, these guys are going to have to hold their own inside to force
13:56the Niners into some compromising positions.
13:59Purdy's going to float one to the back of the end zone.
14:02Marcus Harris, the rookie, had the coverage on Jawan Jennings that time.
14:06So, that'll set up third down and goal.
14:11Now, this becomes something really difficult, especially as you get close to the goal line.
14:15You know, most defenses, you're just selling out for the run.
14:19That's a nice job, just covering everybody up, forcing the throwaway.
14:24There's a couple of young guys there.
14:25Harris is one of them.
14:26Kevin Winston Jr. has been excellent.
14:29But they're young players going up against some veteran receivers and backs.
14:33Another long San Francisco drive.
14:36The 12th play of this series coming.
14:40Purdy.
14:42Punts and throws.
14:43And it is caught for the touchdown by Jennings.
14:46So, as you watch, Kevin Winston Jr. right here.
15:03He's their nickel on Jawan Jennings.
15:07You know, Purdy has enough time here.
15:09Nice job by the offensive line.
15:10Just to give Jennings a chance to run this somewhat of a double move.
15:16And again, you have a big body like that in the red zone.
15:19And there's so many places you can put that ball to allow the big guy to go up and get it.
15:24Jennings has been hot.
15:25The Nashville area native.
15:26He's from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
15:28His fifth touchdown in the last six games.
15:31And Brock Purdy, five for six on the drive.
15:33And capping it with a pass to Jennings for a 7-0 lead.
15:38Long drive.
15:39Ending at a score.
15:40No team has had more 10th play scoring drives in the NFL.
15:44The Niners get one there.
15:45Driving 70 yards down the field.
15:47And good to see Pearsall moving around after he had to come out after the opening catch he made.
15:52Purdy ends up finding Jennings, who's been hot.
15:55And it's a 7-0 lead for San Francisco.
15:58That's an impressive stat.
15:5925 10-plus play drives throughout the season.
16:03That means you have good players and good execution.
16:07They're able to stay on the field after a couple of third downs.
16:09Well, if I were DK, I probably would have let that ball go.
16:12I'd still get it to the 30, but might have gotten maybe eight or nine more yards
16:16if you just let that go for a penalty.
16:19Nonetheless, Cam Ward's back out there.
16:2131 points scored last week by this Tennessee offense.
16:25That was a season high.
16:26Pollard had a career high in rushing.
16:28They had an opening drive TD for the first time.
16:31Ward had a couple of touchdown passes.
16:32And again, the big stat that stuck out, only one sack for that Cleveland front
16:37that features one of the greats of all time in Myles Garrett.
16:40They did a really nice job blocking him up front.
16:42But I think also Cam Ward was able to shed a few.
16:48Thank you.
16:49Just fixing the clock.
16:51Cam Ward gradually has the season gone.
16:53He's the most sacked quarterback in football right now.
16:57But it's gotten better.
16:58And I think part of it is just his awareness in the pocket, getting the ball out on time.
17:03But he is, I wouldn't say he's the fastest guy, but he is slippery and he's nifty and he can make guys miss.
17:08There's Pollard coming off that great game.
17:12And Tony Pollard, who has seen San Francisco four times prior in his career, including a couple of the games in the playoffs when he was a member of the Dallas Cowboys, picks up eight yards.
17:23Or Mike McCoy, the 53-year-old, former San Diego Charger head coach, went to Novato High School, Marin County, Bay Area native.
17:32He's got family, he's got friends, his high school buddies are in town.
17:35He loves coming back to the Bay Area, still has a place here.
17:38And what a joy it was to chat with Mike, who kept the message very positive for this young, young Tennessee group.
17:50There is Pollard.
17:52He's got a first down.
17:53We're going to be checking in with Carissa Thompson all day.
17:56A lot of key games affecting the Niners.
17:57CT, what do you got, my friend?
17:58You know it, Adam.
17:59Here you go, Lions-Rams after a rare Matthew Stafford interception.
18:03Jared Goff, it's Alman Ross-St. Brown for the 17-yard score.
18:06Lions strike first up 7-0 on the Rams.
18:09Adam?
18:11It would be interesting for San Francisco as all three of those teams, L.A., Seattle, and the 49ers, are all still in the mix for the NFC West title.
18:19This division is as stout as any division in football.
18:23And they all play a very similar style.
18:26But I'd say even more impressed just how injury-ridden the San Francisco team has been to still be 9-4 and in the position to make a run.
18:34Nice find by Ward.
18:35There's his rookie receiver, Alec Io Manor, who had a touchdown last week.
18:39And he ends up taking it down to the 38.
18:42A 17-yard pickup.
18:43Nice find by Cam Ward.
18:44Yeah, look, there's a lot of rookies on this offense.
18:47It's Cam Ward.
18:48It's Alec Io Manor.
18:50It's Chimray D.K.
18:52It's Gunnar Helm.
18:53But the way that this offense can continue to grow and evolve is, you know, the more you run the ball, the more you have opportunities for these bootlegs.
19:02And I think it's one of Cam Ward's, the real positives in his game is that he's very comfortable going under center and both handing the ball off but also executing the play-action game.
19:13So now with a fresh set of downs, you can go to Pollard with that stretch play to the edge.
19:17And it's a great run for Tony Pollard.
19:19Slip through, pass the sticks, and plenty more.
19:23A couple of solid runs.
19:24That one for 22 yards.
19:26Yeah, this offensive line is really getting great push.
19:30And it's been inside zone.
19:32In this case, it's just outside zone.
19:35Left tackle Udo is able to capture the edge and allow Tony Pollard to get to the sideline, which, again, both of these runners, Tajay Spears, Tony Pollard, they're home run hitters.
19:46They are pressed the hole, one cut, and they have the speed, the breakaway speed, to pull away from anybody.
19:53So now Spears is in.
19:56Ward off another play-action.
20:00Running out of time, but he's able to evade the pressure and dump it off for the rookie tight end, Gunnar Helm.
20:05Takes a hard hit from Jason Pinnock.
20:08He's that big nickel safety.
20:10And it's a gain of five yards on the play.
20:13Yeah, Io Manor actually fell down.
20:15He was, or collided with the tight end, and so it left with Cam Ward, nobody.
20:20But, again, there's that niftiness that we talked about, just his ability to, the short, subtle movements is really all you need in the pocket at times, just to buy yourself a little more time.
20:30And, again, just finding completions.
20:32You know, the difference between throwing it away, and now you're second and ten.
20:34Instead, he finds a completion, and they're here at second and five.
20:37That's good football.
20:38Now, that opens up the playbook a little bit, and Spears picks up a first down as he takes it down to the five-yard line.
20:48And on that particular play, we saw San Francisco switch it up.
20:51They brought in Upton Stout to go to their smaller nickel package and take Pinnock out, which is typically that big nickel package.
20:59Yeah, they're really trying to just catch this defense off guard, regardless of substitution, and just push with this interior right now.
21:09So Cushenberry, Zeidler, these guys, these guys are getting a lot of push inside, which is in opening up lanes for these runners.
21:15Cushenberry back after missing two games.
21:17Zeidler was dealing with a groin injury on Friday, but he's in there, too.
21:22Here's DK.
21:23That was read perfectly by D. Winters.
21:25San Francisco's leading tackler has one for a loss of seven yards.
21:37Linebacker position's been tough for the Niners this year, especially after losing Fred Warner and the number of injuries.
21:42But D. Winters has been a guy just more and more repetitions now.
21:47You see the instincts coming out as he just reads that jet sweep and is able to shoot the gap and make the play for a loss.
21:54There's Fred Warner in his customary box.
21:56He was on the field before the game, hyping up his fellow defenders.
22:00Out since week six of that ankle injury.
22:03Draw play.
22:03Pollard on second and goal.
22:06And they'll get it down inside the ten.
22:08It'll be third down and goal here.
22:10Malik Mostafa made the stop.
22:13And now a key play for Cam Ward and the Titans offense.
22:15Well, this is where San Francisco's pass rush really needs to dial up.
22:21Obviously, having had Bosa for most of this year, they've really struggled to get pressure on the quarterback.
22:28Only 16 sacks, which is fewest in the NFL.
22:31But this is, just in looking at it, they're giving this pressure look now, which may force some one-on-one matchups on the perimeter for some of these young receivers.
22:47Niners back out of the pressure.
22:49Warren looking for a window.
22:50Dumps it off.
22:51A lot of room to cover for Spears.
22:53And he's going to go down at the line of scrimmage.
22:55Kalia Davis finished it off.
23:01And it's fourth down and goal.
23:02Robert Salas' defense gets a goal-line stop.
23:05Yeah, it was really good just disguise here.
23:07Pressure.
23:09Maybe get the offensive line a little flustered.
23:11Quarterback sped up.
23:12They drop out of it.
23:14Which forces the check-down throw.
23:15And then just watch the pursuit here.
23:17I mean, it is all 11 guys to the ball.
23:21There's not a better tackling team in the NFL than this Niners defense.
23:25And so much of it is just keeping the ball in front of you, speed, and close to make the tackle.
23:31So Joey Sly, who's been very good as of late, gets Tennessee on the board.
23:39Titans settle for three.
23:41Big East, Big Ten battle on Fox College Hoops on Friday.
23:45Our statistician Ed Svita will be locked in for Villanova as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers.
23:50Friday night at 8 Eastern on Fox.
23:52Nova had a big win over Pitt yesterday.
23:56So Cam Ward and the Titans fall a little short on a nice drive.
24:00A couple of nice plays and passes on that series.
24:03Or they end up getting three points out of it.
24:05Got a 7-3 game.
24:07And Joey Sly, who hit a 63-yard field goal in this building last year as a member of the Patriots,
24:13will kick off to Sky Moore, who's been one of the best return men in the game the last two months.
24:18They're going to avoid Sky Moore, go to Brian Robinson, Jr., who's been involved in special teams for the last two months.
24:25He takes it to the 30-yard line.
24:27Well, we saw Ricky Pearsall get banged up on that opening series.
24:34We see him coming back on the field now, KP.
24:35Yeah, back in the game after getting that ankle taped on the sideline and a quick conversation with Kyle Shanahan.
24:41You know, talking to Pearsall pregame, he really was hoping to get back in his groove today.
24:45He told me he struggled a bit coming back from that knee injury, playing through the pain.
24:49But he said the bye week really helped, so certainly he's happy to be back out there.
24:52Yeah, that bye week, KP, I don't think we can emphasize enough the late bye for San Francisco.
24:57Really felt like it refreshed them on both sides of the ball, Pearsall included.
25:01Remember, he got hurt week four against Jacksonville with that knee injury, who had missed a month and a half.
25:07He was checking motion, and he's the blocker for McCaffrey.
25:12And McCaffrey, who forces more missed tackles than any other running back in the league,
25:16gets brought down after a gain of seven yards.
25:18Tackling for the Titans is going to be exceptionally important against McCaffrey today.
25:24Juszczyk is the secret sauce to this offense in the way that they utilize him in motion,
25:29and then what he does off of that motion.
25:31In this case, he's just getting wide and lead blocking for Christian McCaffrey.
25:36But at times today, we're going to see him inserting through the line of scrimmage,
25:40trapping three techniques and ends, and then running routes off of that.
25:45Now Purdy wants him to downfield for Pearsall.
25:47He missed him.
25:49Ricky Pearsall had some space and room, and it ends up being third down and three.
25:55It's a missed opportunity there.
25:57Again, that play action.
26:00Pearsall's that speed receiver who is really kind of their technical route runner.
26:04He's the guy you're going to see down the field running a lot of these double moves,
26:07and then in that case, just a deep crossing route,
26:10which is kind of one of the hallmarks of this offense,
26:13especially with as much as they play action and move with their motions,
26:18that kind of hesitates linebackers and gives those opportunities to throw across the rocks.
26:24Purdy trying to buy some time.
26:26Up to the line, throws downfield, and connects with Demarcus Robinson for a big game.
26:31thought for a second he was going to have to scramble for a first down.
26:39Instead, he goes down the field for 29 yards to Robinson.
26:43Kept his eyes down the field here the whole time.
26:48This is about an eight-second scramble.
26:51But Demarcus Robinson coming from the other side, he was really just running a post route,
26:55kind of clearing out for other receivers.
26:56Saul Purdy in trouble, and that's when you begin to go through your scramble rules,
27:01which come back to the quarterback, what we call be friendly back to the quarterback.
27:06I saw Xavier Woods limping a little bit after that sequence as well.
27:10We'll keep an eye on that as we hit the end of the first 15 minutes of Santa Clara.
27:20Younger, because their veteran safety, who had a pick last week in Cleveland to set up a touchdown,
27:24Xavier Woods, just came back from a hamstring injury a couple of weeks ago, goes to the tent.
27:30And Kendall Brooks, former Division II football player to Pizza Hut delivery driver to the NFL,
27:36is playing the second defensive snap of his very young NFL career.
27:46Niners trying to get lined up, still plenty of time.
27:49Fresh set it out for Purdy, and now a flag gets thrown for some shift.
27:54Fifting in motion.
27:56Ball start, offense, number one.
28:00Five-yard penalty, still first down.
28:01Ends up being a Pearsall penalty to set him back five, and it's first and 15.
28:07You can see there was a little bit of confusion with Jaron Jennings lining up inside or outside of Juszczyk.
28:12Juszczyk shifts.
28:13There's just so much shifting and motioning with this offense.
28:16It's designed to create leverage, create angles, create indecision on behalf of the defense.
28:22But at times, you get guys just sitting in their stance too long, and they get a little jumpy.
28:26Take over here!
28:28Toss! Toss! Toss!
28:33Toss! Toss!
28:34Toss!
28:36McCaffrey looking for a hole, and he gets some of the penalty yardage back.
28:41Tackle made by Kendall Brooks.
28:44As it's time for today's Player Spotlight, it's brought to you by Target.
28:48Christian McCaffrey is basically touching the ball on half of San Francisco's snaps.
28:52He hasn't missed a game this year.
28:54It's been a very durable season, and about as durable of a player as you're going to find in the league.
28:58But it's incredible how often he's on the field, how much he's touching the ball, how much he influences the game.
29:07More than 80% of the snaps this year.
29:09Here's Kittle, and he bangs through the Kendall Brooks attempted tackle, and takes it all the way down inside the 10.
29:18How about that for welcome to the NFL moment for Brooks?
29:21He has to try to take down big George Kittle.
29:23It's a 24-yard catch and run.
29:25And good luck to you on that.
29:26But there is no better blocking team, especially on the perimeter, than the San Francisco 49ers.
29:32You watch Demarcus Robinson right there, Ricky Pearsall.
29:35These guys, not only do they dig out these safeties with tight splits in the run game,
29:40but any time you can get to the perimeter, they just cover guys up,
29:44and you got the ball in George Kittle's hands or Juszczyk's hands or McCaffrey's hands.
29:49That is the key to this offense.
29:51He drops the Cerro Miedo celebration for a first down to set it up for Purdy.
29:55And Pearsall, incomplete, but a flag is thrown.
29:59Marcus Harris had the coverage.
30:01The rookie got tested by the second-year receiver, Ricky Pearsall.
30:07Greg Rolstad will have the call.
30:09Pass interference.
30:11Defense, number 26.
30:13Since the barely curled lands on the ball, he placed the one-yard automatic first down.
30:17So you watch Ricky Pearsall right here.
30:22Let's see if there's a grab.
30:23You know, they run so many of these double moves, you have to just kind of hook the hip there.
30:27But this is where this game is going to be won and lost for this Tennessee Titans defense.
30:31These young secondary players, Marcus Harris, they're getting the penalty.
30:34But Darrell Baker on the other side just subbed it to Kimball Brooks.
30:39It's McCaffrey trying to push ahead.
30:42And that front for Tennessee did enough to plug up the hole.
30:47Officials come in and mark it just short.
30:49It'll be second down and goal.
30:52Looks like Cedric Gray filled in.
30:53And there's Jeffrey Simmons with some chatter across the line of scrimmage.
30:58But this Tennessee Titans front is up for the challenge.
31:02Tavondre Sweat in there at the nose guard position at 366 pounds.
31:07They say what a load he is and how good a player he's becoming.
31:10Of course, Jeffrey Simmons, Cedric Gray, the run stopper.
31:13Can they do it again or is it McCaffrey?
31:15It's McCaffrey.
31:17Got a penalty marker thrown on the play as well as CMC takes it in.
31:25Offside.
31:26Defense, number 53.
31:27That penalty's declined, but he's open to play.
31:30It's a touchdown.
31:31Touchdown number 14 overall for McCaffrey this year.
31:35His sixth in the last four games.
31:38And Jeffrey Simmons and Sweat are over on this side.
31:41So what are they going to do?
31:42They're just going to run to the other side.
31:48Good job by this Niners front.
31:52They're just going to be leaning on this.
31:55Kyle Shanahan talked about it.
31:56We have to be happy just with the two or three-yard games in the run game.
32:00They've been getting chunks in the middle of the field, and then you get inside the two, three-yard line.
32:03You've got to be able to pound it in.
32:05And they said they were seeking balance in the run and pass.
32:09So far, it's been pretty decent for a couple of scoring drives for San Francisco.
32:12D.B. was talking about the big three, Kittle, Juszczyk, McCaffrey.
32:21All three of those guys have been involved.
32:22Kittle, the big catch and run on that drive.
32:25McCaffrey, the touchdown.
32:26Juszczyk doing a lot of the dirty work, and it leads to a second scoring drive for the Niners.
32:29The Titans need to put together a healthy drive here.
32:33Their defense is going to be on the field a lot today unless they can try to sustain the drives,
32:41control the clock, and keep that big three from beating you.
32:45Here's D.K.
32:47Should be decent field position here, and it's past the 30 for Tennessee and Cam Ward.
32:53The NFL family is committed to advancing social justice by reducing barriers to opportunity.
32:58The players inspire change every day, and in that spirit, the Inspire Change Changemaker Award
33:02honors community members who are driving this work forward.
33:05You can learn more at NFL.com slash inspire change.
33:09From Santa Clara, two teams from out of conference, meaning for just the 16th time going back to 1970
33:22when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers.
33:27First matchup when it was San Francisco and Tennessee was 1999.
33:31That was the first year that Tennessee went from being the Tennessee Oilers to the Tennessee Titans.
33:36Now Cam Ward, who's making his 14th start, the most by any rookie quarterback in franchise history,
33:43will hand off to Pollard for a couple of yards.
33:47Jason Pinnock, their big nickel, made the stop there, Drew.
33:50Yeah, so if you see Jason Pinnock right there, he's really a safety, but he's playing in that linebacker position.
33:55So they call this whole personnel grouping big nickel.
33:58Well, what does that mean?
33:59Yes, it's five DBs, but it's a bigger fifth DB.
34:02It's a safety, and they'll run that almost 90% of the time, and in a lot of cases,
34:09it's because he has the ability to be a better run defender than a slot nickel
34:13and a better coverage guy, especially in all these 12 and 13 personnel packages.
34:17And now you've got Stout, their slot corner playing defense.
34:21They find Pollard, nice pass from Ward, chased out by Curtis Robinson,
34:25and it's good enough for a first down.
34:27So you've got Pinnock and the big nickel, and that's the rookie Upton Stout,
34:31who's played most of their slot corner snaps over the course of the year.
34:34Yeah, and Upton Stout is more of a cover slot corner,
34:37so they're going to put him in in more passing situations
34:40where he's really going to have to play in space and be more of a coverage guy.
34:44Jason Pinnock and Jair Brown are the two safeties who they want to play in the alleys.
34:50They want them to be setting the edge in the run game.
34:54They're really good tacklers.
34:55They fly to the ball, but it really speaks to the versatility
34:58of what Robert Salo creates with this defense with the different personnel packages.
35:03There's Pollard on first down.
35:05Nice run, and he pushes it ahead to the 47 for a gain of five yards.
35:10Cleland Furl is there on the stop.
35:12That's another name for San Francisco's defense, like you were talking about,
35:15that has had to shuffle in and out.
35:17They bring Furl in.
35:19He's played the last five games.
35:20He already has four sacks.
35:22The tie for the team lead, Keyon White, has provided some pass rush.
35:26They've had to go deep into the bag and deeper into the depth chart.
35:29It's a Rolodex of guys, and I know they've struggled to get consistent pressure in the pass game,
35:36but all these guys are growing and developing.
35:37There's Pollard lunges ahead.
35:40Malik Mustapha, who missed time early in the year because of a knee injury.
35:45He's there to make the stop, and it'll be third down and short.
35:49All these defenders in the secondary, they're all relatively young guys.
35:53But I'd say this, what's impressive is this entire secondary for the 49ers were all draft picks
35:59over the last few years, and all, you know, somewhere between second all the way to the
36:04seventh round.
36:04So John Lynch has done an excellent job in fighting these guys, Robert Salah developing them,
36:11creating a defense that has some versatility.
36:13First touch of the season for the rookie out of Michigan, Pallel Mullings, moves the chains.
36:22226-pound rookie for the first time in the NFL gets a carry, and he moves the sticks.
36:30This offensive line has really done a nice job today.
36:33You're averaging almost six yards a carry right now, which you talk about a game like this
36:36where you're trying to keep the other offense off the field and give your defense a break.
36:42This is really their formula.
36:44Going back to last week where they rushed for over 180 yards against the Cleveland Browns.
36:48Continue to run the football.
36:50Trust your offensive line to push this D-line.
36:52And then Cam Ward's going to need to make some plays.
36:55But Bo Hardegree, the play caller.
36:57Flag is thrown on this play.
36:58Pollard gets the catch and run near the sticks, but we'll check that penalty marker
37:02on the near side of the field.
37:12Offside, offense, number 84, lined up in the neutral zone.
37:17It's a five-yard penalty.
37:18Replay first down.
37:19So the rookie, Gunnar Helm, ends up getting tagged with that.
37:22That negates the 11-yard catch and run.
37:24So Bo Hardegree has to reset here.
37:27Second season on staff as the QB coach took over play calling in September from Brian Callahan.
37:32And continued in that role after Callahan was let go in mid-October.
37:36Tennessee native who played for the Vols.
37:39He's been a key piece from Mike McCoy, who was basically a senior assistant
37:44and had to step in as the interim head coach.
37:46A lot of shuffling in the coaching staff, too.
37:48So it's first and 15 after the Helm penalty.
37:54It's Ward, screen, underneath.
37:58And a nice catch and run for Chigel Conquore.
38:01And he picks up the first down.
38:02Their leading receiver from the tight end spot.
38:06He's been a key release for Cam Ward this season.
38:10If you look at the blocks down the field, if you just look at the entire left side of this
38:13offensive line, you see how the offensive line times it up.
38:16They get out in front.
38:17We got tempo offense here.
38:18Right back to Okonkwo.
38:20He breaks two tackles and takes it for a first down.
38:28Okonkwo has been a really good weapon for this Tennessee Titans offense,
38:31and especially when you look at the youth at so many different positions.
38:36He was a guy who had a really nice game last week against Cleveland in that big win.
38:41He's talking about continuing to ride the run game here
38:43and find ways to get it into Okonkwo's hands
38:46and some of these young receivers.
38:48You said it through.
38:49They need a decent offensive drive to the defense, a little bit of a rest to try to get back into it.
38:54This is a solid series.
38:55Eighth play of the drive coming.
38:57And a fresh set of downs, but Spears slips, hits the deck, flag thrown.
39:03And this will be offsides seemingly again against Tennessee.
39:11At least that was the initial indication, pointing to the Tennessee side.
39:14Offside.
39:15There are two fouls on the play.
39:17Both on the offense.
39:19Offside.
39:2084.
39:20That penalty's declined.
39:22Holding.
39:23Offense.
39:24Number 72.
39:26That penalty's accepted.
39:2710 yards.
39:28Still first down.
39:29That's not going to help this drive as Udo is making his first start at left tackle this year.
39:34Made a couple at right side early in the season.
39:36Gets tagged with that penalty.
39:37Yeah, just kind of pushes a defender down to the deck.
39:48This penalty a little more costly.
39:52Sets up first down at 20.
39:59Empty set for Ward.
40:01He's got time.
40:02Got a man downfield.
40:03It's caught by Helm, who fumbled the ball momentarily, but seemingly held on and broke the plane for a touchdown.
40:15Cam Ward delivers downfield, and Helm holds on for a 34-yard score.
40:22It was really an excellent route combination here.
40:25They're going to...
40:25Van Jefferson runs a post to clear it out.
40:28And Helm, you see a lot of teams doing this, especially when they need a chunk,
40:31is they run what looks like this 7-route or a quarter-route, kind of getting behind the corner.
40:36And then it basically just becomes like a 7-pump right up the sideline.
40:39Just a really good route design, especially in that situation, 1st and 20,
40:43when they know they're going to get that soft quarter zone.
40:49Heck of a pass by Cam Ward.
40:51And a nice job by Helm to take it home for his second career NFL touchdown
40:56on the longest catch of his career from his fellow rookie, Cam Ward.
41:02Strong drive.
41:04And the Titans are right back in it.
41:08Gunnar Helm has started to make himself a bigger piece of this offense.
41:11Mike McCoy comes over and gives him some love.
41:14Had a couple of six catch games in the last month, and now he has his second NFL touchdown.
41:18He's saying, quit lining up off sides, and we'll throw you more touchdowns.
41:23Yeah, other than those couple of penalties, Cam Ward's happy with his fellow rookie tight end.
41:30And Ward was sharp on that drive, too.
41:32Yes, he was.
41:334 of 4 for 69 yards, and the touchdown to Gunnar Helm.
41:36He's riding 7 straight completions right now, so really following the formula.
41:40They're running the ball extremely well.
41:42Almost 6 yards of carry with this offensive line.
41:45And Cam has been very efficient.
41:46Both Purdy and Ward are 7 of 9, throwing the ball.
41:51Robinson has to make sure he needs it.
41:53He does.
41:54Out to the 35 comes San Francisco.
41:56Well, here's Gunnar Helm, and then you've got Van Jefferson outside,
41:59one of the faster guys on the team.
42:01And basically, they're just running what is a very common route concept that everybody runs.
42:07This is what everyone's used to seeing.
42:08Now, all of a sudden, you throw that little pump onto it.
42:12The flat defender feels like he's underneath it.
42:15Van Jefferson occupies the corner, which opens up that little lane right there between numbers and sideline.
42:22And as a quarterback, you just put it on the line and let your receiver do the rest.
42:27Really nice execution and play design by the Tennessee Titans.
42:30Van Jefferson has been an unsung hero for Tennessee's offense, doing some dirty work.
42:34Had to do it again there.
42:35Purdy launches it away.
42:37Jennings was in the area.
42:39Good pressure from Jalen Harrell that time.
42:41Both teams have started to get better offensively, but KP's got some personnel news.
42:45Yeah, Titans thin in the secondary.
42:47Xavier Woods still on the sideline right now, but he is dealing with a hamstring injury.
42:52Kevin Winston Jr. also has a hamstring injury, and Mike Woods went down early with an ankle injury.
42:57All three at the safety position, all three questionable to return.
43:00Man, that is a brutal loss.
43:02Woods, Brown, and Winston now dealing with injuries.
43:06They don't have Legereus Sneed.
43:07He's been out for half the season.
43:11Jalen Armour-Davis is out for another game.
43:13They are really getting thin.
43:15They're having a lead on a lot of guys that have not played very many snaps on defense.
43:20Purdy under pressure takes a hit from Jalen Harrell.
43:24Back-to-back plays for the second-year man out of Michigan.
43:29Ends up being another three-yard loss, and it's third down and long.
43:33Seems like he's looking for McCaffrey.
43:36Typically, you send him on that motion.
43:38It's basically an option route.
43:39He's got a three-way go.
43:40He chooses to break in.
43:41Purdy doesn't like it.
43:43And then that pocket begins to close down around him.