Here is how the 49ers (2-1) graded in Sunday’s 36-9 win over the host New York Giants (0-3):
PASS OFFENSE: A
Nick Mullens passed for 363 yards, engineered multiple long drives and drew coach Kyle Shanahan’s praise for being a decisive thrower and composed leader. The topic wasn’t broached but Mullens likely earned another start next Sunday night against the winless Eagles rather than rush Garoppolo back from his ankle injury. Terrific emergence by Brandon Aiyuk (70 receiving yards, 30 rushing yards with a touchdown) and clutch catches along the way from Ross Dwelley, Jordan Reed and Kendrick Bourne. Running backs Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. showed the catch-and-run ability that coach Kyle Shanahan covets.
RUN OFFENSE: C+
The Giants beefy defensive line and active linebackers were intent on stuffing the run, and although the 49ers averaged only 2.7 yards per carry, three rushing touchdowns were scored (McKinnon, Aiyuk, Wilson). Tremendous blocking on Aiyuk’s 19-yard run for his first career touchdown. McKinnon came out in the fourth quarter with a rib injury, so hopefully Raheem Mostert returns from Sunday’s absence and plays next Sunday night against the Eagles.
PASS DEFENSE: A
Fred Warner’s interception just before halftime was a death knell to the Giants’ slim hopes. Shanahan was ecstatic over Jason Verrett’s debut and long-awaited impact, which was timely for a cornerback corps that lost Emmanuel Moseley to a concussion and will miss Richard Sherman at least another week. With no Nick Bosa the rest of the year, the 49ers need others to step up, and they got that from Kerry Hyder (sack), Dion Jordan (sack, fumble recovery) and Javon Kinlaw, who was 1 of 6 defenders with a pass breakup.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
Long snapper Kyle Nelson got the yips, and his barrage of bad snaps (high, low, low, lower) got him benched, so the big question is whether this was a mental hurdle he can overcome or if there is an unknown physical ailment. Robbie Gould made 3-of-4 field-goal attempts amid the chaos and Mitch Wishnowsky wasn’t needed to punt even once.
COACHING: A
Amazing job by Shanahan and his staff to not only produce over 30 points in back-to-back wins on a dastardly field, but to rally the troops with a heavy casualty rate three games into a season that’s back on track. Next comes a three-game homestand in which the 49ers should stay hot.
