The San Francisco 49ers improve to 2-1 on the season while being without 11 of their 22 starters against the New York Giants. Despite the physical toll from the 49ers back-to-back East Coast matchups, the team managed to put up a dominant showing in the 36-9 victory at MetLife Stadium. Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus highlighted multiple players who had noteworthy performances during Sunday's contest. Here are eight standouts from Sunday's rout.
Nick Mullens
In his first start in nearly 21 months, Mullens connected on 25-of-36 passes for 343 yards and one touchdown for a 108.9 passer rating. Following his Week 3 performance, Mullens became the first 49ers quarterback since Joe Montana (1985-86) to throw for 220-plus yards in nine-straight starts. The 49ers backup quarterback excelled in getting the ball downfield, completing 10-of-15 passes for 169 yards on throws of 10-plus yards, including 4-of-6 for 71 yards on 10-plus-yard throws outside the numbers.
Mullens earned an 81.0 overall grade on Sunday, which was tops on the offense and also a career high for the 49ers backup (previous 2018 Week 15 against Seattle Seahawks – 80.1).
Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon was the 49ers bell cow on Sunday with both Raheem Mostert (knee) and Tevin Coleman (knee) out of the lineup. He saw 62 percent of snaps on Sunday while hauling in 77 all-purpose yards and two total touchdowns on 18 touches. The running back registered three receptions for 39 yards, including a 26-yard leaping grab that was Mullens' longest completion of the game. McKinnon earned a 90.5 receiving grade against the Giants, his highest mark since 2015. His 82.6 overall grade on the season ranks fourth among running backs through Sunday's games.
Sunday was another stout showing by the 49ers left tackle. Williams didn't allow a single pressure on the day, earning an 89.6 pass blocking grade. He has allowed just two pressures all season, and his 87.7 pass blocking grade through three weeks is tied for second highest among all NFL tackles.
With the absence of Jordan Reed, who left the game with a calf and ankle injury, Dwelley saw an uptick in snaps on Sunday. The tight end caught all four of his targets for a career-high 49 yards, earning him a 72.8 overall grade.
"I was just really happy with everyone across the board, especially losing some of the guys early," head coach Kyle Shanahan said postgame. "Losing Jordan, who was a big part of the game plan, for Ross Dwelley to come in and step it up... (they) made some really good plays for us today."
Warner was a standout among San Francisco's defense on Sunday, earning a top grade among the defensive starters with an overall mark of 86.5. Warner registered an interception, the second of his career, a quarterback hit and two run stops.
Warner has allowed a passer rating of 31.3 in coverage so far this season, the lowest of any linebacker in the NFL. His 84.6 overall grade on the season ranks second among linebackers with a minimum of 60 snaps.
Armstead registered three quarterback pressures against Daniel Jones on Sunday and notched two run stops. Despite being without Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas and Dee Ford, San Francisco's pass rush managed to keep Jones under pressure on 15 of his 35 dropbacks (42.9 percent). The sixth-year defensive lineman earned a 79.5 overall grade following Sunday's win.
Dion Jordan
The former Miami Dolphins first-round pick joined the 49ers in training camp and was signed to the team's practice squad at the start of the season. He made his 49ers debut against the Giants after being promoted to the active roster heading into Sunday and was one of the 49ers highlights on defense. On the Giants first drive, Jordan jumped on a fumbled pitch that led to the 49ers second field goal of the game. The play marked San Francisco's first fumble recovery of the season and the first of Jordan's career.
He also registered a sack and a quarterback hit on just 22 snaps, earning a 78.0 overall grade in his first game as a member of the 49ers.
Verrett was another defensive standout on Sunday. The 49ers were without Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon heading into Week 3 and also lost Emmanuel Moseley in the first half of the game to a concussion. Verrett stepped up with the 49ers thin at the cornerback position and allowed just two catches on four targets for nine yards in his first game action since Week 3 of the 2018 season.
The sixth-year corner earned a 75.3 overall grade in his season debut against the Giants.
