The San Francisco 49ers, despite being hit hard by the injury bug for the third straight year, are hot, as they’re riding a six-game winning streak and sit on top of the NFC West.
They have done so with the best defense in the NFL and an offense that has shown significant improvement over the last few weeks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan is doing a great job getting players to contribute, and two men, in particular, have overperformed this year.
1. Brock Purdy
It has only been two games, but Purdy has shown a skill set that no one could’ve imagined months ago when he was the last player chosen in the NFL Draft.
Ever since Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury in Week 13, the Iowa State University product has gone 41 of 58 and has thrown four touchdown passes against just one interception, giving him a 105.2 passer rating.
It’s very possible that once opposing teams have enough of a sample space to scout and prepare against him, he will turn out to be certifiably mediocre, but for now, he has been a revelation for the Niners Faithful.
2. Talanoa Hufanga
Last season as a rookie, Hufanga did very little, managing 32 tackles (24 solo) and just two passes defended in 15 games.
But in 2022, he has turned into a potential star.
Through 13 games, he has put up seven passes defended, four interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown), and five tackles for loss.
There’s only one player in the NFL who has:
* 70+ tackles
* 5+ TFLs
* 4+ INTsIt’s Talanoa Hufanga, who’s also the first 49ers’ player to have these numbers since 1970.
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) December 14, 2022
He appears to have a shot at the Pro Bowl this year, which would be quite an accomplishment for the fifth-round draft pick.
Talanoa Hufanga on Richard Sherman’s podcast about why so many late-round guys have success with the #49ers:
“If you’re an UDFA, Kyle Shanahan expects you to play at a first-round talent level. That’s why you see our team play at such an exceptional level. That’s the standard.”
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) December 8, 2022
He said that Shanahan sets the bar high for his young players, and it helps them manifest success.
NEXT: 2 49ers Players Who Need To Play Better Down The Stretch