Several members of the San Francisco 49ers provided bright spots in an otherwise disappointing 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
In Pro Football Focus' “Refocused” series, PFF's analysis team broke down the top performances from Sunday's game. Four of the top five contributors in the divisional contest came from members of the 49ers.
Take a look at PFF's top 49ers performers from Sunday.
Ray-Ray Armstrong
Armstrong had his best game of the season and earned the highest overall grade of either team (89.7). In his 64 snaps, Armstrong totaled 10 total tackles (eight solo), a sack for a loss of five yards and a huge interception in the end zone during the Cardinals opening possession. Armstrong now leads the 49ers defense with 21 tackles through the first four games.
Joe Staley and Trent Brown
San Francisco's offensive tackles gave up just three total pressures and zero sacks in 84 offensive snaps. Staley and Brown posted game grades of 88.4 and 88.8 respectively, the highest grades of any 49ers offensive lineman so far this season.
DeForest Buckner
Buckner wanted his production to show up on the stat sheet, and this week, it finally did. The second-year lineman finished the game with six total pressures, including two hurries, three hits and his first sack of the season on Carson Palmer. Buckner also made two defensive stops and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage that forced a Cardinals fourth down. He has continued to prove why he is one of the NFL's top pass rushers, leading all interior defenders with 22 total pressures. Buckner earned PFF's "game ball" with a grade of 88.7.
NaVorro Bowman
Bowman came up big following a subpar performance in Week 3, where he missed four tackles. The 49ers linebacker was spot on against the Cardinals and tallied three defensive stops, eight total tackles and a devastating hit on Palmer on a blitz. Bowman now has 17 total tackles on theseason. PFF handed Bowman a grade of 84.5 for his play in Arizona.
