The San Francisco 49ers did exactly what a top-tier contender is supposed to do in Week 15: handle business against a rebuilding Tennessee Titans squad. The final score-37-24-doesn’t quite capture how lopsided this game felt for most of the afternoon. Kyle Shanahan’s offense was in complete command, never punting once, as Brock Purdy and his weapons carved up a Titans defense that simply didn’t have the firepower to keep pace.
But while the Niners extended their win streak and looked every bit like a playoff-bound juggernaut, the game also exposed a few cracks in the armor-particularly on defense. With three regular-season games left, and postseason football around the corner, there's still work to be done.
Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers from San Francisco’s Week 15 win.
Winner: Brock Purdy, QB
Let’s start with the obvious. Brock Purdy was in full command from the opening drive.
Sure, the Titans aren’t exactly the ‘85 Bears on defense, but you still have to execute-and Purdy did that and then some. He threw for 295 yards, tossed three touchdowns, and didn’t turn the ball over.
His passer rating? A season-best 140.3.
And it wasn’t just through the air. Purdy showed off some surprising wheels, racking up 44 rushing yards, including a 26-yard scramble that ended with a playful moment-taunting linebacker Cody Barton before immediately offering a sheepish apology. It was a lighthearted snapshot of a quarterback playing with confidence and swagger.
More importantly, Purdy kept the chains moving. San Francisco converted 9 of 15 third downs, and with him at the helm, the offense didn’t need to punt once. That’s surgical.
Winner: George Kittle, TE
If anyone forgot how dominant George Kittle can be, Sunday was a loud reminder. The veteran tight end turned in a season-high 88 receiving yards and added a touchdown, bullying defenders after the catch in vintage Kittle fashion.
He might not be leading Pro Bowl voting-likely due to the early-season hamstring injury that kept him sidelined-but performances like this prove he’s still one of the most dangerous tight ends in football. This wasn’t just a stat-padding day; it was a tone-setting performance that showed Kittle is rounding into form at just the right time.
Winner: Ricky Pearsall, WR
With Brandon Aiyuk officially placed on the reserve/left squad list, the door is wide open for someone to step up-and Ricky Pearsall kicked it down. The second-year wideout led the team with 96 receiving yards on six catches, showing the kind of route-running polish and after-the-catch burst that made him the 49ers’ top draft pick in 2024.
There’s some concern he may have tweaked the knee that previously kept him out, but the early word from Shanahan is optimistic. If Pearsall stays healthy, Sunday’s showing could be a preview of what the post-Aiyuk era looks like for San Francisco.
Winner: Jauan Jennings, WR
While Pearsall and Kittle racked up the yards, Jauan Jennings made his impact in the red zone. The physical wideout hauled in two touchdowns, including the opening score that set the tone for the day.
Jennings has always been a gritty, reliable target in key moments, and with Aiyuk out of the picture, his role in this offense could grow significantly. He may not put up gaudy numbers, but his ability to win in tight spaces and fight for yards makes him a valuable piece down the stretch.
Winner: Kendrick Bourne, WR
Kendrick Bourne didn’t light up the stat sheet-just 17 yards on the day-but those yards nearly triggered a $500,000 contract bonus. He needed 18.
One yard short. Still, the increased involvement in the offense is a good sign after being largely phased out in recent weeks.
Purdy looked his way more often, and if that trend continues, Bourne could not only cash in financially but also provide another reliable veteran presence in an evolving receiver room.
Loser: 49ers Run Defense
The scoreboard says the 49ers won comfortably, but Tony Pollard’s stat line tells a different story. The Titans running back gashed San Francisco for 104 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries-an eye-popping 7.4 yards per tote.
Yes, injuries have thinned the defensive front-Sam Okuayinonu, Tatum Bethune, and Mykel Williams were all out-but this wasn’t just about missing bodies. The tackling was inconsistent, the gap discipline was loose, and the second-level pursuit lacked urgency.
The Niners have Jonathan Taylor and the Colts on deck, and if the run defense doesn’t tighten up fast, that matchup could get uncomfortable in a hurry.
Loser: 49ers Pass Rush
This was a golden opportunity for the 49ers’ pass rush to get right. Tennessee came into the game having allowed 49 sacks-second-most in the NFL.
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was ripe for the picking. And yet… nothing.
Zero sacks. Just three quarterback hits.
This is a defense that ranks dead last in sacks and pressure rate, and Sunday did nothing to change that. If San Francisco can’t generate more heat on the quarterback-especially against quality playoff teams with veteran signal-callers-it’s going to be a problem. A big one.
Loser: Missed Turnovers
San Francisco’s defense had chances to flip the game even further in their favor but couldn’t capitalize. Safeties Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown each dropped what should have been interceptions. Those are the kinds of plays that can swing playoff games, and the Niners will need to sharpen up in the takeaway department.
Final Thoughts
The 49ers offense is humming. Purdy is playing with poise and precision, Kittle is back to looking like a top-tier tight end, and young receivers like Pearsall are stepping into the spotlight.
But the defensive side of the ball? That’s where the questions lie.
The run defense is leaky. The pass rush is nearly nonexistent.
And while the secondary is opportunistic, it’s not finishing plays. With three games left before the postseason, San Francisco has the talent to make a run-but they’ll need to clean up these defensive issues if they want to go the distance.