Standouts from San Francisco 49ers’ Week 3 Loss

Stevie Johnson

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Steve Johnson (13) carries the ball during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the fact that the emphasis should be on the ground game, Stevie Johnson’s big day is encouraging for San Francisco. Johnson caught nine passes for 103 yards after catching just four balls in his first two outings.

After a solid six-year career with the Buffalo Bills, which included three seasons of more than 70 catches and 1000 yards, the 49ers picked up Johnson in a trade.

His first two games in a new uniform were fairly quiet, as he tallied just two catches in each of those games. But his big game against the Cardinals proves that the tall, speedy downfield threat is becoming more comfortable in the new offense and with a new quarterback.

As Johnson continues to build a rapport with the guys around him, he will become an extremely dangerous third receiving option behind Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree. The offense can spread out the defense with all these offensive weapons and really open up the running game.