The San Francisco 49ers earned a 37-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium, but the final score did not fully reflect the issues that surfaced during the game. While the offense delivered and the win strengthened their position, several warning signs—especially on defense—stood out.
Strong Start, But Defensive Gaps Appeared
The 49ers opened the game with an impressive defensive moment. In the first quarter, nine defenders swarmed Titans running back Tyjae Spears near the goal line, stopping him for no gain on a third-down play. It was a picture-perfect stop.
However, that play turned out to be more of an exception than the rule.
Missed Assignments Hurt the Defense
The most concerning defensive breakdown came in the fourth quarter when Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons lined up as an eligible receiver and scored a one-yard touchdown. Shockingly, no defender properly covered him.
Even television cameras anticipated the trick play, focusing on Simmons as he entered the huddle. Linebacker Luke Gifford attempted to recover but was too late. The play highlighted communication and awareness issues within the 49ers’ defense.
Unexpected Struggles Against a Weak Offense
This lapse was part of a bigger problem. The Titans entered the game with the NFL’s lowest-ranked offense, yet they:
- Allowed zero sacks
- Rushed for 136 yards
- Averaged 6.8 yards per carry
- Saw rookie quarterback Cam Ward post a season-best passer rating of 101.2
For comparison, Tennessee had been averaging under 85 rushing yards per game and had allowed the most sacks in the league before Sunday.
Tackling Remains a Major Issue
Missed tackles continued to haunt San Francisco. Just two weeks after missing 15 tackles against Cleveland, the 49ers missed 11 more against Tennessee—even after a bye week meant to rest and reset.
Safety Malik Mustapha struggled, missing tackles, dropping an easy interception, and allowing a long catch that led to a Titans touchdown. Fellow safety Ji’Ayir Brown also dropped an interception and was caught out of position on a 34-yard touchdown pass.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan did not sugarcoat the performance.
“We had too many missed tackles,” Shanahan said. “It was better than the Cleveland game, but still not good enough.”
Trent Williams Shines After the Bye
One clear positive was left tackle Trent Williams. At 37 years old, Williams delivered one of the best performances of his career, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 95.6—the highest in his 15-season NFL career.
Williams dominated in the run game, leveling defenders and setting the tone physically. His strong season puts him on track for a historic 12th Pro Bowl selection, which would be the most ever by an offensive tackle.
Injury Concerns for Ricky Pearsall
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall re-aggravated his knee injury in the fourth quarter after landing hard while making a 12-yard catch. The injury is related to a PCL issue that already caused him to miss six games earlier this season.
Although Pearsall finished with six catches for 96 yards, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted the injury continues to limit him. Wide receivers rely heavily on cutting and sudden stops, making knee injuries especially difficult to manage.
Shanahan expressed cautious optimism, saying he hopes Pearsall’s pain eases soon and did not rule him out for the next game.
Questionable Coaching Decision Raises Eyebrows
Another puzzling moment came when Shanahan challenged a clear touchback during a Titans kickoff return. Replays showed the returner fully inside the end zone, making the challenge unsuccessful.
Shanahan later admitted the decision was based on information from others, not his own view of the play.
Conclusion
The 49ers walked away with a convincing win, but the game exposed several issues that cannot be ignored. Defensive miscommunication, missed tackles, and lapses in awareness allowed a struggling Titans offense to look far more effective than expected.
While standout performances from players like Trent Williams provided reassurance, San Francisco must clean up its defensive execution and stay healthy as the season progresses. Winning matters—but fixing these concerns will be crucial if the 49ers hope to compete at the highest level.
