San Francisco 49ers: 3 Big takeaways from win vs. Broncos in Week 14

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off an upset in Week 14 as they damaged the Denver Broncos’ playoff hopes, here we look at three big takeaways from the win.

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off an upset in Week 14 as they produced their best performance of the season to defeat the Denver Broncos and claim only their third win of the year.

After dominating the first half and pulling out to a 20-0 half-time lead, the Niners survived an improved second-half showing from the Broncos, their defense delivering a stout display that encompassed multiple key stops, and one that was in stark contrast to the consistently poor performances Robert Saleh’s unit has produced this season, to close out a 20-14 victory.

It was an extremely good day for the Niners, who did not damage their draft position despite the triumph, remaining in the No. 1 spot due to the Oakland Raiders’ stunning win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here we look at three big takeaways as the 49ers severely damaged Denver’s playoff hopes.

Kittle clearly the league’s best tight end

He would be receiving much more publicity were he not playing on a team in the midst of an extremely disappointing season, but his incredible performance on Sunday confirmed what many already suspected about George Kittle, that he is the best tight end in football.

The 2017 fifth-round pick’s monster year hit new heights on Sunday in a record-setting display that saw him become the first 49er tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards and break the record for most receiving yards in a single game by a 49ers tight end as he gashed the Broncos for 210 yards, including an 85-yard scamper for a touchdown.

All of those yards came in the first half and he inexplicably did not have a catch in the second half, preventing him from breaking Shannon Sharpe’s record for most yardage by any tight end in a single game as he fell five yards short.

Despite the bizarre second-half shutout, Kittle’s showing was one in which his frightening skill set was laid bare. He does an excellent job of beating man coverage and, as he demonstrated on his touchdown, no tight end in the league is as dangerous in the open field. Kittle can run away from defenders and has the ability to both overpower them and make them miss in space.

He is the 49ers’ most dangerous offensive weapon and, though it remains to be seen if he will make the All-Pro team, there can be no doubt he deserves to be recognized as the top tight end in the game.