The first quarter of the season couldn’t have gone much better for the 49ers. They went 4-0, their offense is starting to click and their defense has done the dramatic 180 it needed to in order for the 49ers to make a playoff push.
We went back through the first four weeks to dish out some first quarter awards for San Francisco. These will be reassessed after each quarter of the year, and again at the end of the season.
Here they are after four games:
Best win
Week 3: 24-20 vs. Steelers
This wasn’t San Francisco’s most dominant win. In fact, it was their sloppiest game of the year. They coughed up five turnovers and allowed the Steelers with backup quarterback Mason Rudolph making his first career start to hang around in the 49ers’ home opener. The 24-20 win required a touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Dante Pettis with 1:15 left to secure the victory.
The reason it was the 49ers’ best win is because they overcame so many mistakes. A five-turnover game certainly would’ve been a loss in any of the last few seasons. San Francisco’s defense was sensational and came up with a huge takeaway late in the game to set up the game-winning touchdown. A strong, all-around team win was tangible evidence of the improvements the 49ers made over the offseason.
Best play
Matt Breida’s 83-yard TD run vs. Browns
The 49ers had a chance to validate their hot start with a win in prime time over the Cleveland Browns. Their defense forced a punt on the Browns’ opening drive, then the offense got off to the best start possible. Garoppolo turned and handed to Breida, who broke through a wide open hole and pulled away from safety Damarious Randall to reach the end zone.
Breida’s sheer speed on the play was impressive. He clocked the fastest time of any ball carrier in the last three seasons. It was also an early exclamation point in a critical game for the 49ers. San Francisco never looked back after Breida’s long score and went on to win 31-3. There have been a ton of impressive plays from the 49ers on both sides of the ball, but Breida’s explosive run stands out on top.
Best single-game performance
Week 5: Nick Bosa vs. Browns
Bosa was a terror against Cleveland on Monday Night Football in what wound up being the rookie’s coming out party. He’d been extremely effective through three weeks, but he was fully healthy coming off the Bye week and it showed. He racked up 2.0 sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
It was a dominant showing from the No. 2 overall pick that set the tone for the entire evening, and could set the tone for the rest of Bosa’s rookie season. If he puts up more performances like the one he did in Week 5, it’s hard to imagine he won’t wind up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Under-the-radar star
DL Arik Armstead
The 49ers’ star-studded defensive line has gotten a ton of attention this season, but Armstead is the unsung hero of an extremely talented group. He’s posted 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, and he forced a key fumble that set the 49ers up for their win against the Steelers. Armstead has been good at defensive end and on the interior, and his run-stopping prowess has helped spearhead a run defense that’s yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
OT Justin Skule
Odds weren’t great that Skule would play much this season, much less get an early OROY nod. However, his play at left tackle in Joe Staley’s absence has earned him that. He made a couple mistakes in his first start against Pittsburgh, but went without a penalty or sack allowed in Week 5 against the Bengals. There aren’t many offensive rookies contributing for San Francisco, but Skule’s been the best among them with wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s production falling off, and wide receiver Jalen Hurd landing on Injured Reserve. If he keeps playing at a high level, he might wind up playing himself into a long-term roster spot.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
DE Nick Bosa
There’s not really a contest here. Bosa has been arguably San Francisco’s best defensive player, not just the best rookie on that side of the ball. The 49ers had multiple chances to skip on the opportunity to take Bosa, and they needed the No. 2 overall pick to produce a high-quality player. Bosa has been the best 49ers rookie since Aldon Smith, which should land him in the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Offensive Player of the Year
RB Matt Breida
A multifaceted offensive attack makes it difficult to pinpoint the 49ers’ top offensive player. Breida has been the 49ers’ leading rusher while the team leads the league at 200 rushing yards per game. He’s ripping off 6.5 yards per carry to lead the league, and he’s posted two 100-yard games. Breida this season has 340 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries, and six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. Tight end George Kittle certainly deserves recognition for his run blocking and reliability as a pass catcher, but Breida helped buoy the 49ers’ run game when Tevin Coleman was injured, so he gets the nod for the first quarter.
Defensive Player of the Year
DE Nick Bosa
Bosa has been as good as advertised off the edge with a combination of speed, power and a motor that doesn’t stop. While he hasn’t finished off as many sacks as he might like, he’s spearheaded a 49ers pass rush that’s helped elevate their entire defense into the league’s elite tier. San Francisco’s defense would still be good without Bosa, but they’re among the best because of his game-wrecking ability.
MVP
HC Kyle Shanahan
This is a little bit of a cop out, but there are too many 49ers having great years to pick one that stands out as the best among them. Shanahan deserves some recognition for the first four games though, so that’s why he’s the first quarter MVP. Not only has he been nearly flawless as a play caller, he’s been dealt a tough hand with injuries in the backfield, left tackle and cornerback. He’s put the players on his roster in a position to succeed despite the injuries, and the team has continued playing for him after two rocky years to start his tenure. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been sensational as well, but Shanahan is the head coach and play caller, and gets the early MVP award.
