After scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game, the San Francisco 49ers struggled offensively on their subsequent two possessions against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. In one play, the 49ers got their offensive rhythm back, thanks to Deebo Samuel.
San Francisco faced a third-and-three from just short of midfield. Jimmy Garoppolo took the snap and completed a pass to Samuel. Had he been tackled immediately, it would have been a five-yard gain, good enough for a first down. But Deebo wasn’t tackled immediately. In fact, Deebo wasn’t tackled, at all. Not satisfied with just the first down, Samuel stayed on his feet and weaved his way through the Los Angeles defense, breaking multiple tackles along the way.
When all was said and done, it was a 57-yard touchdown pass.
DEEBO SAMUEL IS RIDICULOUS! 🏈🔥 #MNF pic.twitter.com/AZeazTkoF2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 4, 2022
Anyone wondering why Samuel got paid so handsomely during the offseason needn’t look any further. The Rams had actually done well against him to that point. But in one play, that changed.
The NFL world heaped Deebo with well-deserved praise after that play.
Deebo Samuel gained 52 of 57 receiving yards after the catch (+51 YAC over expected) on his catch-and-run touchdown.
Since entering the NFL in 2019, Samuel has gained +699 YAC over expected, most in the NFL (and only player over 500).#LARvsSF | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/PuUg6hLapo
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 4, 2022
There is nobody like Deebo. Not a single soul on the planet.
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) October 4, 2022
Me watching Deebo score for my fantasy team pic.twitter.com/MEYJlHKcok
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) October 4, 2022
I counted 158 broken tackles on that Deebo Samuel touchdown.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 4, 2022
Deebo Samuel has slowed down more for speed bumps than he did for that Jalen Ramsey tackle attempt.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 4, 2022
Oh look, Deebo doing Deebo things 🤙
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 4, 2022
Deebo giving @BarrySanders vibes in the open field pic.twitter.com/WSEVNXMMcP
— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) October 4, 2022
Dating back to the days of Jerry Rice and John Taylor and later Terrell Owens, a longtime staple of the San Francisco offense has been short passes turned into long plays. Deebo carried on that tradition with this fantastic catch and run.
