It’s amazing how much difference a day makes. 48 hours ago, the 49ers and their fans were walking the walk, rolling into Minnesota after a statement week one with all the confidence in the world. With good reason too, for the most part. Now a perennial NFC juggernaut, San Francisco and its faithful had, (and spoiler alert, still should have) the swagger of a team that’s been the bullies on the block for the better part of five years now.
Fast forward to late Sunday afternoon, and then even further into Monday morning, and a dark cloud has passed between the Bay Area and the shining September sun. Whether or not the paradigm shift in expectation is just, it’s more or less expected. The NFL is a reactionary league. There should be cause for concern and numerous areas up for improvement this week in Santa Clara, but don’t duck from the sky, Niner fans. They were never going undefeated.
Brandon Aiyuk is rusty
And that is putting it kindly. The now handsomely paid star wide receiver made his name in the NFL as a tactical route runner who was elite at creating space and gaining yards after the catch. In the first two games he’s been largely blanketed by opposing secondaries. The lack of separation and general failure to get open for Brock Purdy is likely a direct product of his lack of reps in training camp. You can condition with the best of them, but without actual football reps with your teammates, the football speed and mental presence will take at least a few weeks to become as polished as Aiyuk expects it to be.
Special Teams Yikes
Punts were not the friend of San Francisco on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. No matter which side of the punt they were on. The funny feeling fans had in the early going of Sunday’s game was solidified as legitimate dread when Mitch Wishnowsky had a punt blocked midway through the first quarter of a then scoreless bout. Later on, rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing muffed a punt after a critical stop. Luckily, the Niners covered the loose ball. But the offense gave it back in a hurry. About the onside kick… Wishnowsky left a lot to be desired with a dribbling kick that didn’t come close to traveling the requisite 10 yards. You could argue I’m splitting hairs, but it can be important. Last special teams note, Jake Moody was great again.
Fred Warner… Holy Cow
Through two games, it’s possible that 2024 Fred Warner will be the best version of the star linebacker that we’ve seen. He was all over the field on Sunday. Sideline to sideline, Pass rush, pass coverage, run stopping. You name it, a white blur with the 54 was on it. He’s punched out two fumbles through two games, and picked off Sam Darnold in Niners territory Sunday. There’s no doubt Fred Warner has been the 49ers’ defensive MVP.