Sourdough Sam
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- Mar 20, 2019
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After a week of practices in West Virginia, the 49ers returned to the Meadowlands and put up a dominant 36-9 victory over the New York Giants. It's worth nothing, the 49ers went into Sunday's match without their starting quarterback, running back, tight end, center, wide receiver, linebacker, defensive tackle, both cornerbacks and both defensive ends, but still managed to put together a cohesive performance to improve their overall record to 2-1.
Here are 10 takeaways from the win:
1. After the 49ers Week 2 win over the Jets, Nick Mullens spoke with the media and said going into his fourth season under Kyle Shanahan, there is "no excuse" to why he shouldn't be able to perform. San Francisco's backup quarterback did just that and came out of the gate aggressive and making decisive throws on Sunday. Mullens finished the game completing 25-of-36 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown for a 108.9 quarterback rating.
Mullens became the first 49ers quarterback since Joe Montana (1985-86) to throw for 220-plus yards in nine-straight starts.
"Nick was great. He was very poised. We went on a lot of long drives today, which is better than not scoring, but long drives can get a little bit exhausting but Nick kept his composure," Shanahan said. "I know we went on this 16-play drive without a third down. Nick was real impressive on that with his execution and how consistent he was all day."
2. The Giants first offensive drive ended with a turnover, compliments of former first-round defensive lineman, Dion Jordan. Making a game-changing play on his first series as a member of the 49ers, Jordan, who joined the 49ers in training camp, was signed to the team's practice squad at the start of the season and was promoted to the active roster heading into Sunday.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones made a pitch to Evan Engram as the tight end juggled the ball and Jordan jumped on the fumble. That play marked the 49ers first fumble recovery of the season and the first of Jordan's career.
3. Jordan wasn't the only member of the 49ers to finish the day with a takeaway. Fred Warner hauled in his first interception of the season and second of his career. On 2nd-and-10 on their own 25, Warner perfectly read a play and jumped a pass intended for Engram. Warner's interception set up the 49ers for a field goal heading into the half.
"I've got to shout out Jaquiski Tartt, because before they even snapped the ball, he was alerting it to me," Warner said postgame. "So, I saw the formation and was thinking it. The coaches do a great job of getting us ready throughout the week. And it just played out perfectly as I read the quarterback's eyes and kind of baited him into throwing it and was able to take it home."