Brock Purdy shines as offense awakens, but defensive struggles and McCaffrey's role raise red flags for the Niners' playoff hopes.
On Jason’s latest 49ers show, the crew breaks down San Francisco’s 37–24 win over the Tennessee Titans, and the takeaway is pretty clear: the offense finally looked like itself again, but the defense still gave them plenty to worry about. It’s a win you’ll take every time, but it also comes with that familiar “yeah, but…” feeling when you start projecting this team into tougher matchups.
Brock Purdy delivered his best game of the season
The headliner is Brock Purdy, and the hosts call this his best performance of the year — confident, decisive, and willing to use his legs to keep plays alive. The moment that jumps out is Purdy ripping off a 26-yard run (the 49ers’ longest run of the season), which the crew points to as a sign of comfort and rhythm returning. They acknowledge Tennessee’s defense isn’t exactly elite, but they make the point that a clean, sharp performance still matters, regardless of opponent. (Around 3:13–4:00)
The run game didn’t travel, and it raised a McCaffrey question
Even with 37 points, the rushing attack didn’t really show up. Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson both struggled to generate efficient yards, and in a funny twist, Purdy led the team in rushing yards per attempt. That leads into the bigger discussion: are we watching the “new” Christian McCaffrey — one who’s trending more toward being a receiving weapon than the every-down, wear-you-down runner we’re used to seeing? (Around 5:16–8:32)
The pass catchers carried the production
If the run game was quiet, the receiving group made up for it in a big way. The hosts highlight a strong showing from the entire pass-catching unit, with Ricky Pearsall having his best game since returning from injury, George Kittle being a consistent standout, and Jauan Jennings keeping his touchdown streak alive. The vibe here is that the offense looks significantly more dangerous when these pieces are clicking together at the same time. (Around 10:56–11:31)
The offensive line was “fine enough,” and that’s a win
No parade, but the O-line did its job. The crew describes it as “fine enough,” allowing just two sacks and around 10 total pressures, which kept Purdy functional and the offense on schedule. Trent Williams gets a specific shout for his level of play, and the larger point is that the offense doesn’t need perfect protection — it just needs stable enough reps to let Purdy operate. (Around 17:10–18:55)
The defense: the score looks fine, but the tape sounds alarming
This is where the worry sets in. The defensive line drew heavy criticism for failing to sack Cam Ward — labeled as the most-sacked quarterback in the league — and only generating 11 pressures as a team. The hosts emphasize how concerning that is coming out of a bye week, when you’d expect the front to look fresher and more disruptive. (Around 19:01–20:09)
Tackling and coverage busts were the recurring theme
Beyond the pass rush, the show zeroes in on missed tackles and coverage breakdowns as problems that kept showing up. The linebacker play gets especially harsh reviews, with Curtis Robinson singled out as consistently out of position and missing tackles. And even though the secondary was described as the healthiest unit, the hosts were frustrated by repeated coverage busts and lack of discipline — including a wide-open deep shot to Van Jefferson that they call the type of mistake better teams will punish immediately. The overall tone: there’s real anxiety about what this defense looks like when the schedule stiffens. (Around 20:48–30:42)
Listen to the full episode
If you want the balanced version of a 37-point win — the optimism around Purdy and the passing game, plus the honest concern about a defense still making unacceptable mistakes — Jason’s episode hits both sides. It’s encouraging, it’s critical, and it frames exactly why this team feels dangerous and vulnerable at the same time.