After dropping their preseason opener to the Tennessee Titans, the San Francisco 49ers picked up their first preseason win with a 16-10 victory over the Saints on Sunday. Here are three takeaways from the win.
All Four QBs Get Action
49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy didn't play a single snap in last week's loss to the Titans but got the start in this one. Starting Purdy was a questionable decision for the 49ers since none of his offensive weapons were available. The Saints were playing with most of their starters on defense, including Chase Young, who spent the second half of the 2023 season with the 49ers.
Purdy only completed two out of his six attempts for 11 yards while facing constant pressure. He was also without All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. Josh Dobbs was San Francisco's first quarterback off the bench. He flashed his excellent playmaking ability, making him one of the best stories of the 2023 season while with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. Dobbs was the 49ers leading rusher with 25 yards on three carries, all of which resulted in either a first down or a touchdown.
With just over a minute in the first half and trailing 7-6, Dobbs orchestrated an 11-play go-ahead touchdown drive that ended with him rushing in for his second touchdown in as many weeks.
The most impressive play of the night from Dobbs came earlier that drive when the 29-year-old rolled out to the right, outside the numbers, ran across the field, and down the left sideline to pick up a first down on 1st and 10.
San Francisco scored points on all three of Dobbs's drives (two field goals and one touchdown).
Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai played in the third and fourth quarters. While neither upped Dobbs in terms of highlight reel plays, both were efficient, with Allen going 7/10 and Mordecai going 4/6.
Jacob Cowing Impresses in Debut
The 49ers fourth-round pick in April's draft made his preseason debut for them and didn't disappoint. The 5-9 wide receiver out of Arizona led the team with 51 receiving yards on four catches while also picking up 19 yards on the ground on one carry. The 19 yards on the ground was San Francisco's longest run of the night. Cowing also had the longest reception of the night on a 38-yard pass from Dobbs, which set up the touchdown to end the half.
Cowing also handled punt return duties and averaged 9.5 yards on two returns. With the departure of last year's return man Ray-Ray McCloud, Cowing is an early favorite to take over that role.
Punter Battle?
With sixth-year punter Mitch Wishnowsky sidelined from punting duties the first two weeks of the preseason, San Francisco has turned to Pressley Harvin III.
Harvin is entering his fourth season in the NFL, his first with the 49ers, after spending the last three with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All four of Harvin's punts were inside the Saint's 20-yard line, which played a vital role in the Niner's strong performance on defense.
It's doubtful the 49ers will move on from Wishnowsky, who has become a fan favorite in the Bay Area with fake punt runs and punting a football into McCovey Cove during the San Francisco Giants home opener.
Wishowsky also finished 10th last season in net yards per punt at 42.7, while Harvin finished 30th out of the 33 qualifying punters at 39.1. However, Harvin's strong performance this preseason won't go unnoticed, as he is likely auditioning for a job with 31 other teams, including the 49ers.
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