Top Five 49ers’ Performances of 2014
By David Ochoa
2014 is a year that the San Francisco 49ers might want to forget. An extremely disappointing season riddled with injuries and retirements is not something a franchise wants to remember. There weren’t many bright spots during the 2014 season, but the few good moments should be celebrated. Here are he best performances of 2014 in no particular order.
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1. Colin Kaepernick: Week Six vs. Rams. (Passing)
The 49ers started off extremely slow in this Monday night game. They found themselves in a 14-0 hole early, and if not for a blown coverage by Janoris Jenkins that allowed Brandon Lloyd to score an 80 yard touchdown, the 49ers would have been down 14-3 going into halftime.
After that play something clicked for Kaepernick and the 49ers. The scored 24 unanswered points on the back of Kaepernick’s arm. Kapernick threw for 343 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. It would have been four touchdowns if not for Vance McDonald and Vernon Davis running into each other in the end zone.
2. The Entire Defense: Week 11 vs. Giants.
The 49ers managed squeak by with a win against the Giants in one of the ugliest games of the year. This a game that the defense one in spite of the offense. The defense intercepted Eli Manning five times and the offense only scored 16 points. Chris Borland had two interceptions while Eric Reid, Chris Culliver, and Michael Wilhoite all had one a piece.
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With the offense struggling mightily, the 49ers’ defense buckled down and stop the Giants time after time, including a goal line stand late in the game.
With the amount of injuries that the 49ers suffered on the defensive side of the ball, this is one of the highlights of the season.
3. Anquan Boldin: Week 12 vs. Redskins.
Without Boldin, the 49ers would have just about no passing attack over the last two years. He has become a savior in every sense of the word, and this game was no different. Boldin had nine receptions for 137 yards and one touchdown this game.
With the 49ers’ offense struggling once again, the 49ers needed a play to give them a spark. Down 13-10 in the fourth quarter, the 49ers looked unable to do anything on offense. Boldin was the player to step up.
Lots of receivers shy away from going over the middle, but Boldin personifies toughness. With a perfect pass between two defenders from Kaepernick, Boldin looked prime to be lit up by the safety. This is exactly what happened, except Boldin bounced off the hit from Ryan Clark and ran for more yards. This play allowed the 49ers to score later in the drive and win the game 17-13.
4. Frank Gore: Week 16 vs. Chargers.
Up to this point in the season, many were questioning Gore’s effectiveness. He hadn’t had a great season up and was beginning to look like age was catching up with him. However, Gore saved his best for last and showed everyone that he still had plenty in the tank.
Gore ran for 158 yards on 26 carries which is good for 6.1 yards per carry and one touchdown. Despite losing in heartbreaking fashion, Gore and the 49ers showed heart which was seemingly absent the 15 games before this one. Although Gore is no longer on the team, he left 49ers’ fans with a couple good games of vintage Gore to remember him by.
5. Colin Kaepernick: Week 16 vs. Chargers. (Rushing)
Kaepernick has always been a strong runner. It’s was makes him so dangerous as a quarterback. He can beat teams in two different ways. He showed his running ability in this game when he ran for 151 yards on seven carries including a 90 yard touchdown. This game reminded teams that when Kaepernick is unleashed, he is near impossible to stop.