On a night when Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense lit up the scoreboard, it was the San Francisco defense that quietly delivered one of its most complete performances of the season - and perhaps its most encouraging. While the headlines went to the fireworks on offense, the defense put together a showcase of timely pressure, smart coverage, and breakout performances that could have major postseason implications.
Let’s start with linebacker Dee Winters, who didn’t just have a good game - he had a statement game. Playing 55 snaps, Winters posted a career-best 94.0 overall grade, and his coverage was elite.
He allowed just one catch on three targets for 11 yards and capped the night with a pick-six that flipped the momentum and reminded everyone that this 49ers defense can still create game-changing plays. His 93.9 coverage grade was also a personal best, and it’s the kind of all-around impact that signals real growth.
Winters is evolving into a true three-down linebacker, and performances like this show he’s not just filling a role - he’s starting to define one.
Up front, defensive tackle CJ West was a wrecking ball in limited action. He only played 20 snaps, but made every one count, earning a 90.9 overall grade and tying for the game’s best pass-rushing grade at 91.7.
That’s a career high for West, and it came with his first NFL sack and four pressures - tied for the most in the game. His ability to collapse the pocket from the interior forced Philip Rivers to speed up his reads, and that disruption was a big part of why the Colts’ offense never found a rhythm.
Rookie corner Upton Stout continues to show why he’s one of the most promising young defenders on this roster. He graded out at 84.8 overall on 48 snaps, showing solid work in coverage (81.2 grade) while allowing just 45 yards on eight targets.
But it wasn’t just his coverage - Stout also led the team in tackling with an 81.8 grade and held his own against the run (76.5). For a rookie, that’s a complete performance, and it points to a player who’s not just surviving - he’s thriving.
The defensive line as a whole brought the heat. Keion White chipped in with three pressures and a 74.7 grade, matching safety Malik Mustapha, who was active all over the field.
Mustapha added a pressure of his own and was around the ball consistently, though he did have one missed tackle. Still, his 59 snaps showed he’s becoming a steady presence on the back end.
The pass rush was a group effort. Bryce Huff and White both notched three pressures, Jordan Elliott added two, and Alfred Collins had a sack and a pressure. Collins did struggle against the run - his 31.1 run-defense grade was the lowest on the team - but his ability to contribute in the pass rush still gave the Colts problems.
Of course, not everyone had a night to remember. Linebackers Garret Wallow (29.9) and Eric Kendricks (36.1) struggled in limited snaps, with Kendricks also posting the team’s lowest coverage grade (29.8). Corner Deommodore Lenoir had a tough outing as well, finishing with a 41.0 overall grade across 59 snaps, while Luke Gifford’s 26.0 tackling grade was the lowest of the night.
But zoom out, and the big picture is this: the 49ers’ defense played smart, fast, and opportunistic football. They didn’t just hold the line - they made plays that helped shift the game’s momentum. With key stars like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, or Mykel Williams still on the mend, performances like these from emerging contributors are exactly what this team needs to stay dangerous.
If this defense can keep complementing the offense like it did Monday night, San Francisco won’t just be a playoff team - they’ll be a problem.