Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
As usual, Deebo Samuel played a significant role in San Francisco’s offense during their hard-fought 13-10 win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, during a game where special teams dictated the flow surprisingly.
Following the game, Samuel said that he understood the difficulties coming into this game with the weather situation, and how crucial special teams was to San Francisco’s victory.
“Man, it’s just so crazy,” Samuel exclaimed. “We knew we needed a play, and we talked about special teams man. Very important this week in this week, you know, you can’t really kick the ball, so we went out here and got a blocked punt and we scored and tied the game. Man, it’s just crazy right now.”
Despite the first half struggles, in which San Francisco had -15 yards of total offense on their first four drives, and an interception on their next, Samuel and Co. were resilient, and came out fighting in the second half from the kickoff en route to a field goal drive.
“This means a lot for this team, man. To be down seven, we couldn’t move the ball in the first half. Going into the second half, making adjustments, [and] just [coming] out here and play our heart out.”
However, the hard-fought game didn’t come with nicks, as Deebo Samuel was seen limping on multiple occasions, including after his must-needed 1st down pickup on 3rd & 6 with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. During his postgame interview though, Samuel brushed off any indication of a long-term injury.
“My ankle got twisted up and I got scared for a second, but I’ll be alright.”
Samuel’s first down run on 3rd & 6 eventually set up a Robbie Gould game-winning 45-yard field goal, which he drilled to send the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.
“Robbie don’t miss,” said Samuel. “Good as Gould baby, that’s what I call him, but [it] was just a great team win and flying around on all cylinders.”
This 49ers team is predicated on physicality, which was constantly showcased through their numerous attempts on the ground Saturday, and Deebo leads the charge with his pure strength, which he exerts every single game.
“[Physicality] is just the mindset of this team. We knew it was going to be a dogfight. With the weather, we knew we weren’t going to be able to throw the ball like we wanted to. It’s just a physical mindset and everybody on this team has, and we go out here and we play hard.”
Despite being a third-year player, Samuel has had a ton of responsibility on his shoulders in his first All-Pro season, but his built trust with head coach Kyle Shanahan has eased that feeling.
“I feel like it’s a trust thing. Me and Kyle have a great, great relationship. I trust him just as well as he trusts me. Making that third down call on 3rd & 6, putting the ball in my hands in a running play, just [knowing] everything I’m capable of.”
With the win, San Francisco has now won six of its last seven games and have completely turned their season around after starting 2-4, which bodes well for them as they’ll face another opponent on the road in the NFC Championship game next weekend, be it their divisional rival Los Angeles Rams or the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Deebo isn’t worried about the competition, knowing how hot the 49ers have been, and considers the 49ers as that feared team in the playoffs.
“We hot. I said it when we beat the Rams: nobody wanted to see us in the playoffs.”
Regardless of where they play, San Francisco will face much better weather conditions, as the temperatures during San Francisco’s Saturday game reached close to 0, with snow trickling in as the second half started.
Deebo Samuel had 95 receiving yards and 45 rushing yards in the San Francisco 49ers’ thrilling 27-24 overtime road win over the Los Angeles Rams. He scores his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, the most in a single season by a wide receiver. Samuel even threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
However, Samuel didn’t singlehandedly lift the 49ers to the win. Everyone stepped up in the crucial playoff-impacting game. Brandon Aiyuk led the team in receiving yards with 107. Jennings had a career-high 94 receiving yards. Rookie Elijah Mitchell racked up 85 rushing yards.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo turned in a gutsy performance, playing with a torn ligament and chipped bone in his right thumb while completing 23-of-32 pass attempts for
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is becoming one of the NFL’s biggest stars. He racked up 1,770 all-purpose yards this season and 15 total touchdowns (6 receiving, 8 rushing, 1 passing). Samuel has frustrated opposing defenses as a receiver, as a rusher, and even tossed a touchdown pass this past weekend against the Los Angeles Rams.
Samuel is in his third NFL season, which means it’s time to start thinking about a contract extension for the 25-year-old star. He’s positioned himself to be among the highest-paid players at his position. However, Samuel is unique in that he does so much more than just playing wide receiver.
“Deebo’s going to be well compensated, and we plan on him being a Niner for a long time,” general manager John Lynch said
49ers’ wide receiver Deebo Samuel was named an AP 1st Team All-Pro for the first time in his young career on Friday. He is the first 49ers wide receiver to earn that honor since Terrell Owens earned his third nod back in 2002.
There is no doubt that Deebo deserved the honor as he posted eye-popping stats during his 2021 campaign:
1st in yards per reception (18.2)
3rd in yards from scrimmage (1770)
5th in receiving yards (1405)
3rd amongst wide receivers in total touchdowns (14)
Set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a receiver (8)
It’s hard to argue that Deebo wasn’t the most valuable player on the 49ers’ offense this season, and his versatility is largely the reason why. Not only was he the team’s number one receiving
Fresh off a regular season in which Trent Williams—the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL—put up the highest single-season PFF grade ever, and made the NFL’s All-Pro team, it’s obvious the San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle is playing the best football of his career, which is impressive because the 11-year veteran has always been an elite offensive lineman throughout his career, making nine Pro Bowl teams.
However, from the time he joined the 49ers, Williams has taken on a larger role than just being a star left tackle. During his time with the Washington Football Team, Williams was tagged as an independent player who didn’t demonstrate many leadership qualities, which may have led to his eventual unstable departure after the 2019 NFL season. Now, Williams
