San Francisco 49ers: Nick Mullens, big takeaways from win vs. Raiders in Week 9
Kittle announces himself on national stage
George Kittle has been one of the premier tight ends in football this year, but elite performances can often go under the radar when you’re on a losing team.
On Thursday he announced himself on the national stage with a stunning performance, catching four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Most of his yardage came on a spectacular 71-yard catch and run on which he hauled in a Mullens pass over the middle with one hand and rumbled inside the 5-yard line.
Unreal: Nick Mullens threads the needle to George Kittle, who makes an incredible one-handed catch for a 71-yard gain. #49ers #OAKvsSF
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) November 2, 2018
https://t.co/XK8Jl49dgO
He scored shortly after on an easy pitch and catch and is now up 692 yards and three touchdowns on the year, well on pace to become the first 49ers tight end to go over 1,000 yards in a season.
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At this point it is obvious the 49ers got a steal in the fifth round of the 2017 draft but, between his superb blocking and his consistently excellent play as a receiver, it must now be acknowledged that he is up there with Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce as one of the elite tight ends in the game. Mullens stole the show on Thursday but, in a season of few bright spots, it is Kittle who has shone the most for the Niners.