The San Francisco 49ers’ defense isn’t just surviving - it’s quietly thriving, and Sunday’s win over the Titans added another layer to that narrative. The box score might not tell the full story, but dig a little deeper into the film and the advanced grades, and you’ll see a defense that’s winning with smart, physical football - especially on the edges and in the secondary.
Edge Setting the Tone, Safeties Cleaning Up
Clelin Ferrell continues to be a stabilizing presence on the edge. His 73.0 overall grade across 39 snaps speaks to his consistency, and while his 61.1 pass-rush grade won’t turn heads, it was still tied for second-best on the team.
He recorded two pressures and held up well against the run, helping anchor a front that rotated frequently throughout the game. Ferrell may not be filling up highlight reels, but he’s doing the dirty work - collapsing the edge, setting the tone, and keeping the front seven organized.
In the secondary, Jason Pinnock made the most of his limited reps. He played just 13 snaps, but his impact was undeniable.
A 77.8 coverage grade - the best in the game - and a perfect tackling performance gave the 49ers a boost on the back end. He wasn’t targeted once in coverage, and when it came time to wrap up, he didn’t miss.
That kind of efficiency matters, especially in a game where every yard counted.
Rookie Corner Flashing Real Promise
Upton Stout continues to show why the 49ers are high on him. The rookie corner posted a 69.3 overall grade and led all regular contributors in coverage with a 70.7 mark.
He was targeted five times and allowed five catches, but he kept everything in front of him - just 29 total yards allowed. That’s textbook zone discipline and smart tackling.
Speaking of which, Stout earned an 81.2 tackling grade, the best on the team. No missed tackles, just clean, efficient play.
For a rookie, that’s exactly what you want to see.
Linebackers Holding Down the Middle
Dee Winters continues to grow into his role, and Sunday was another step forward. His 65.5 overall grade came across 53 snaps, and his 74.9 run-defense grade was the highest on the team - and his best since Week 4.
He played with great instincts and helped shut down Tennessee’s ground game. In a scheme that leans heavily on zone coverage, having a linebacker who can read and react like Winters is a huge asset.
Trouble on the Interior
While the edges held strong, the interior of the defensive line continues to be a weak spot. Kalia Davis and Alfred Collins posted the two lowest defensive grades in the game - 29.1 and 29.9, respectively.
Both struggled to hold their ground in the run game and missed tackles. For Collins, this marks the fifth time in the last seven games he’s failed to crack a 50.0 run-defense grade.
Davis has been in a similar slump, staying below that threshold in five of his last six. The 49ers are getting effort, but not enough impact from the middle of their line.
Veteran Kevin Givens didn’t fare much better, finishing with a 32.6 grade in 18 snaps. C.J.
West, in limited action, earned a 58.4. It’s clear the interior rotation is still a work in progress - and it’s becoming the most glaring vulnerability on an otherwise solid defense.
Pass Rush: Grit Over Glamour
Keion White led the way in the pass-rush department, earning a 72.5 grade and tallying two pressures. He’s not dominating, but he’s bringing steady heat off the edge.
Ferrell, Bryce Huff, Collins, and Davis also chipped in with two pressures each, but none really broke through with game-changing plays. Robert Beal Jr. had a rough outing, grading out at 40.9 as a pass rusher and 46.2 overall.
The 49ers are manufacturing pressure more through effort and rotation than explosive individual performances right now.
Coverage and Tackling: A Mixed Bag
Safety Ji’Ayir Brown had a tough day in coverage, allowing a one-yard touchdown and finishing with a 47.3 coverage grade. Cornerback Renardo Green also struggled, grading out at 46.7 and recording a missed tackle. These weren’t back-breaking mistakes, but they’re the kind of lapses that can swing momentum if not cleaned up.
Still, the tackling overall was buoyed by strong efforts from Pinnock and Stout, who didn’t miss a single tackle between them. That kind of reliability helps offset the occasional whiff from others in the lineup.
The Big Picture
What we’re seeing from San Francisco’s defense right now is a unit that wins with depth, discipline, and smart football. The interior line is still a concern - no question - but the edges are holding up, the linebackers are flying to the ball, and the young secondary is growing into its own.
Players like Stout and Winters are stepping up, and veterans like Ferrell are setting the tone. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective. And come playoff time, that kind of defensive identity - one built on fundamentals and depth - tends to travel well.