Alex Smith: A. He played the game of his life. He completed 21 of 33 passes (64%) for 291 yards. He had two TDs, zero interceptions, one fumble lost, and a 112.1 QB rating, not to mention the big W on the road over the explosive Philadelphia Eagles. He did more than just manage the game today. He made big throw after big throw in the second half, and he led three touchdown drives.
Offensive line: B+. They’d get an A if it weren’t for right tackle Anthony Davis, who surrendered three sacks to Jason Babin. But Joe Staley played well. He kept Trent Cole in check for most of the day. The line as a unit paved the way for 165 total yards rushing as well. Adam Snyder was solid and he should hang on to the starting right guard job ahead of Chilo Rachal. Too bad the 49ers don’t have a viable replacement for their right tackle, too.
Running backs: A+. Frank Gore gained 139 yards from scrimmage and Kendall Hunter gained 100. Hunter proved he’s a starting caliber NFL running back, and Frank Gore showed he’s still got it. The Niners will have to split carries between these two running backs from now on, and they did a good job of splitting them today. Some people say Gore needs to run behind a full back to be effective, but he was lethal running shotgun draws up the middle today. But Kendall Hunter runs to the outside better than Gore, and he just might be a better receiver as well. He needs to improve his hands, but when he catches the ball he’s a threat to score a touchdown every time.
Wide receivers: A-. The only receivers who caught multiple passes were Michael Crabtree and Joshua Morgan, and neither gained close to 100 yards receiving. But both guys delivered when the ball came their way. Morgan’s been getting open all season, and the slant route he ran on his touchdown reception was perfect. Michael Crabtree, who takes flack for running poor routes, completely fooled Nnamdi Asomugha on a double move in the second half on a long completion.
Tight ends: A-. Vernon Davis did a very good job helping Anthony Davis block pass rushers. The Niners can hardly afford to send him into coverage because their right tackle needs so much help, but Greg Roman figured out how to mix in some passes to Vernon Davis and they worked out, as he caught a big touchdown late in the game. Delanie Walker also blocked well, and he caught three passes for 20 yards.
Defensive line: A+. They held LeSean McCoy to 18 yards rushing. I thought they would have trouble tackling the smaller, faster McCoy, much like they struggled with Jamaal Charles last season. But I was wrong. The Niners can stop any and every running back, apparently. Well, except Michael Vick. He averaged 9.4 yards per rush. Still, the Niners allowed only 108 total rush yards to Philly. And Aldon Smith, who lined up mostly at defensive end in Nickel formations, had 1.5 sacks. He brings consistent pressure on the quarterback as a down lineman. And Justin Smith had the play of the game, chasing Jeremy Maclin down from behind and stripping the ball from his hands with a couple minutes left in the game. This was the type of play that happened to the Niners in the past, not for them.
Linebackers: A. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were superb. It’s funny, in the past people always talked about Patrick Willis. Now you have to mention both these guys when you’re talking about the Niners linebackers. It almost seems like they take turns making huge tackles. These two players make it very difficult for opposing offenses to throw check down passes to running backs, because they’re super fast and they don’t miss tackles. Also Ahmad Brooks got lots of pressure on Vick, but Vick escaped him every time.
Defensive backs: B-. They gave up 416 yards passing. That’s not good. Their positives include Carlos Rogers’ interception and Reggie Smith’s near interception in the fourth quarter. Also, Dashon Goldson recorded a team-high 10 tackles. The safeties did a better job covering the zone in the middle of the field between them and the middle linebackers, but the entire secondary couldn’t stop the deep pass. As a result, the Eagles easily moved the ball between the twenties. But when they got to the red zone and they lost the threat of the deep pass, the Niners defense played the Eagles tough. The Niners will struggle against the fast WR/strong-armed QB combo for the rest of 2011, but today they won despite this weakness.
Special teams: B+. David Akers was only one for three on field goals today, but he made the extra point to win the game, and he gets credit for that. Also, Andy Lee and the punt coverage team did not allow Desean Jackson to break any big punt returns, and that’s definitely an important accomplishment.
Coaching: A+. Nothing the Niners’ coaches called in the first half worked. The Eagles moved the ball at will and the Niners scored three points. Harbaugh brought Kaepernick out for one play, and the camera kept showing him throwing passes on the sideline. It seemed like the Niners were on the verge of a quarterback controversy. Color analyst and former coach Jim Mora Jr. was questioning Harbaugh on the air at the end of the first half, saying things like “this isn’t college anymore.” But the second half comeback completely absolves Harbaugh of everything negative that happened in the first half. Harbaugh completely outcoached Any Reid after halftime. Greg Roman’s play calls on the three touchdown drives were brilliant. The best play call of the day came on third and seven from the Philly 26 with 3:52 left in the game. The Niners lined up with two WRs and two TEs, all lined up out wide. Smith lined up under center, Hunter lined up behind him, and the Eagles thought the Niners were going to pass. Didn’t you? Instead, Alex Smith pitched the ball to Hunter, who ran around the left edge for a 14 yard gain. That’s what Harbaugh calls a balanced attack, and it worked. By the end of the game, the Eagles had no clue what the 49ers were going to do next, and the Niners had the Eagles totally figured out. San Francisco is no longer the worst-coached team in the NFL. They’re a well-coached team, and it’s looking like they’re a playoff team, too.
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