Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers
Final Score: Jaguars 26, 49ers 21
Writer: Cesar Escajeda
Despite rust, injuries, and four turnovers San Francisco managed to keep this game relatively close for most of the afternoon — but a steady run game and a relentless Jaguars defense was more than enough to seal the win on the road.
Three Up
- Travis Etienne Jr. — Etienne continued his stellar start to the 2025 season with a 124-yard effort on the ground against a tough Niners’ front seven. The undisputed RB1 in Jacksonville was elusive throughout the day, with his best run a 48-yard scamper down the left sideline for the score.
- Brenton Strange — In contrast to the WR issues the Jaguars have had early in the season, Strange has made himself a reliable part of the offense for Trevor Lawrence thus far. The second-year player lead Jacksonville in catches on the road and looked to be the most consistent part of the passing game all afternoon.
- Jacksonville defense — Through the first four games the Jaguars have been one of the better scoring defenses for fantasy, and with their four takeaways (adding to their league lead of nine entering Week 4) and a sack, the trend certainly continued. Parker Washington added a punt return TD to boot, the cherry on top of a solid overall effort.
Two Down
- Brock Purdy — The rust coming off of injury was evident for Purdy, and while he started to put things together late in the second half, two interceptions and a game-sealing strip-sack fumble proved far too costly. The fact that San Francisco can’t finish a game without losing an offensive starter obviously doesn’t help either, but Purdy shoulders the bulk of the blame in this one.
- Injuries — The Niners got back two pieces on offense with the return of Purdy and Jauan Jennings, but the monkey paw certainly curled in this one with the loss of Ricky Pearsall late in the third quarter to a knee injury. I’m not sure who San Francisco offended to bring upon a curse of this magnitude, but there is yet another victim to be claimed in Week 4.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 21/31, 174 Yards, TD | 7 Carries, 7 Yards
Game manager, but effective nonetheless. Trevor Lawrence has been fairly middling to start the year, and it continued once again on the road in San Francisco. He didn’t need to be anything else however, as the defense clamped down and put the Jaguars’ offense in prime position time and time again. On-point throws, no turnovers, rely on the running game, and cruise to a win — it’s a simple strategy.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 19 Carries, 124 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 16 Yards
A workhorse on the day. Travis Etienne Jr. had no problems toting the rock on the road against one of the better run defenses of the league in San Francisco. Averaging a healthy 6.5 yards per carry, he was all the Jaguars’ offense needed to sustain the lead late in the game — even while lacking involvement in the passing game. Etienne’s long TD across the boundary of the field showed just how hard he is to catch, sprinting past a litany of Niners’ defenders and juking out the safety to break free and push his scoring streak to two on the year.
Bhayshul Tuten: 4 Carries, 14 Yards |1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brian Thomas Jr.: 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 49 Yards | 1 Carry, 7 Yards
Brian Thomas Jr. has been a disappointment so far throughout the season, with a number of drops, mental errors, and a lack of consistency in the passing game. It wasn’t exactly a bounce-back game, but with zero drops on the day (none of the Jaguars’ pass catchers were credited with one) and the team lead in receiving yards, it was a better day for the second-year WR. It’s still a far cry from the expectations placed on him in this offense, but you have to start somewhere, and maybe this was it.
Brenton Strange: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 45 Yards
As reliable as it gets. Brenton Strange hasn’t been explosive with his stats through four weeks, but he has been nothing but a sure-fire safety net for Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense — especially against San Francisco. Leading the team in receptions while tying for the team lead in targets, the young TE was exactly where he needed to be time and time again. They haven’t been big numbers given the pedestrian nature of this passing attack, but it’s been steady production thus far.
Travis Hunter: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards, FUM (Rec.)
Travis Hunter was less involved on defense in this game, so it was pleasant to see his stats on offense improve. Once again the passing game isn’t firing on all cylinders in Jacksonville, so his output won’t be otherworldly from week to week — still its better than last week, and that’s a plus.
Hunter Long: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 23 Yards, TD
LeQuint Allen Jr.: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Parker Washington: 2 Targets | 1 Carry, -1 Yards | Punt Return TD (87 Yards)
Johnny Mundt: 1 Target
Tim Patrick: 1 Target, 1 Reception, -1 Yards
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: 22/38, 309 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 FUM (Lost) | 2 Carries, 13 Yards
Rusty upon return. Brock Purdy took the QB reins back after a two-week absence, but it wasn’t exactly the return he was hoping for. The Niners could only muster six points off of field goals in the first half, and Purdy had an unlucky tipped pass fall right into the hands of the Jaguars’ secondary for his first pick of the day. His second was even uglier, an inexplicably direct pass to LB Devin Lloyd down the middle in the third quarter. Purdy had two passing TDs crucial to the comeback effort, but the third and final turnover of the day pretty much put the nail in the coffin. I’m sure the injuries to Ricky Pearsall and others has hindered this offense, but three turnovers is just inexcusable.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: 17 Carries, 49 Yards, FUM (Rec.) | 11 Targets, 6 Receptions, 92 Yards, TD
This man is the entirety of the offense in San Francisco. It’s almost comedic that Christian McCaffrey struggled to run the ball (2.9 average), but led the 49ers in every receiving category on the day. The offense clearly flows through the veteran RB, though despite a herculean effort, he simply could not will the offense to more than 21 point. Fans and fantasy managers alike have been happy that the injury bug has not touched McCaffrey like his teammates.
Brian Robinson Jr.: 5 Carries, 21 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jake Tonges: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 58 Yards, TD
Filling in admirably for George Kittle. With the lack of other set receiver options for the home team, Jake Tonges found himself to be heavily involved down the stretch. It’s clear the Niners have attempted the committee approach at TE while Kittle sits on IR, but Tonges has been the better (and more consistent) option so far.
Ricky Pearsall: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 46 Yards
The knee injury looms large for the second-year receiver out of Florida. Ricky Pearsall took a large step back from his previous week’s performances, and it was compounded by the late injury that he did not return from. With a Thursday game against the Los Angeles Rams up next, the turnaround might prove too quick to return to action.
Kyle Juszczyk: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 42 Yards
Jauan Jennings: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
Demarcus Robinson: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 24 Yards
Luke Farrell: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards, FUM (Lost)
Kendrick Bourne: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
Skyy Moore: 1 Target