The San Francisco 49ers have become NFC West Champions. The 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-13, and there were a number of top 49ers players. The team needed the win in order to clinch the NFC West. The lowest the team can rank now is the third seed, with no one in the NFC South able to catch up. While it may have not been as many points as the team wanted, here are the top 49ers players in their win against the Seahawks.
Top 49ers Players: Dre Greenlaw
Once again, linebacker Dre Greenlaw was one of the top 49ers players this week. Greenlaw made this list last week, but that is not the only time Greenlaw has played well in Seattle when it mattered most. In 2019, Greenlaw made a huge stop at the goal line, preventing Seattle to score, and giving San Francisco the win. You can watch that video by clicking here. This week, Greenlaw forced a fumble, with the recovery by Charvarius Ward putting the 49ers’ offense in a position to score. Each time Greenlaw faces Seattle, he turns into one of the top 49ers players.
Against Seattle, Greenlaw had a total of eight combined tackles, four of which were solo, according to ESPN. Greenlaw also had two pass deflections and a forced fumble, which is a big reason the 49ers won the game and clinched playoffs. A video of the forced fumble can be found by clicking here. Greenlaw was all over the field ready to make stops. The team was smart to extend Greenlaw early in the season, with how he has continuously been one of the top 49ers players.
Top 49ers Players: George Kittle
Tight end George Kittle consistently found a way to get open throughout the game for big plays. This made it easier for quarterback Brock Purdy to get the ball to him. Kittle had one of his best games this season, and it could not have come at a better time. Against the Seattle Seahawks in a must-win game, Kittle demonstrated why he has been one of the top 49ers players.
What is the oddest part of Kittle’s big game is that he only had four receptions. In those four receptions, Kittle went for 93 yards and two touchdowns, according to ESPN. His longest reception was for 54 yards in the second half of the game, resulting in a touchdown, and increasing the 49ers’ lead. Credit should also go to head coach Kyle Shanahan, for coming up with plays that leave a big target like Kittle wide open. Without Deebo Samuel playing, there was one less major weapon, but the team made it work and won the NFC West.
Top 49ers Players: Charvarius Ward
Cornerback Charvarius Ward had a great game, despite being pulled early in the second half. Ward exited the game early in the second half after entering the concussion protocol. Despite being cleared to play, Shanahan did not feel comfortable with it and kept him out for the remainder of the game. Luckily for the 49ers, they were able to manage without Ward.
Ward was lined up to cover DK Metcalf throughout the game and did a great job at doing so. Metcalf was clearly getting frustrated not being able to make big plays against an NFC West rival. Making these stops is a significant reason why Ward was one of the top 49ers players against the Seattle Seahawks. Ward had a total of six tackles, all of which were solo, according to ESPN. He also had two pass deflections and the fumble recovery that put the 49ers in a position to score. If it were not for Ward’s coverage, this game could have gone very differently for the 49ers.
Top 49ers Players: Christian McCaffrey
There was a lot of pressure put on running back Christian McCaffrey this game. With Purdy dealing with an oblique injury, the 49ers had to put trust into their run game. While a lot of pressure was put on McCaffrey, it was a job well done.
McCaffrey had a total of 26 carries for 108 yards rushing, and one touchdown according to ESPN. It was McCaffrey’s rushing touchdown that came from the Greenlaw forced fumble. McCaffrey also had six receptions for 30 yards, which really helped the team without Samuel playing. McCaffrey may be a great running back, but his ability to also be a major target was a great help to Purdy, leading the team to clinch the NFC West.
The entire 49ers defense deserves credit for how they played against the Seattle Seahawks. They truly demonstrated why they are the top defense in the league. This list of the top 49ers players is just a small sample that deserves recognition for this big team win.
As this was a Thursday Night Football matchup, the team has a small break before their next game. The San Francisco 49ers will head back home to face the Washington Commanders on Christmas Eve. Be sure to watch for these top 49ers players in that matchup, as they now race for the second seed.
For More NFL and NCAA Content:
Be sure to check out this week’s, Underestimated Player Spotlight to see who I chose. Also, check out this article on the 49ers’ win vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and how far the 49ers can go with Brock Purdy. Also, check out my most recent article about the 49ers.
Be sure to check out last week’s installment of the Top 5 Rutgers Football games of the 2022 season, and this week’s as well. Finally, here are my offseason priorities for the Penn State Nittany Lions will be.
