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Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
I know you guys were confident that you'd be able to bounce back, but being able to actually go out and do it, what do you think you learned about yourselves over the last week and coming away with the win tonight?
"It was really just about coming into this game, you could feel in the locker room throughout the entire week, it was a different mindset that everyone had. The last couple of weeks before this, no one liked that feeling. It wasn't who we are as a team and I think this week it just kind of got us back right on track."
Can you describe the touch you have to put on those short tosses to WR Deebo Samuel, especially, just whether it was the ones at the start or the one that kind of clinched the game at the end there?
The Rams moved Los Angeles Rams DL Aaron Donald all around the field, like they usually do, but he was mostly lined up over OL Daniel Brunskill for this game. Obviously, this is a 'after I seen the film' type of question, but what was your sense of how he blocked and how he did against Aaron Donald?
"I thought the O-Line as a whole, just did a phenomenal job. In the run game, it started with the run game and then the pass game, the pockets were clean all night. There were a couple third downs where I held the ball for a little extra long, just the coverage was good and they didn't get near me. I didn't get hit very much. Felt great coming out of this game. When the O-Line plays like that, it sets the tone for our whole offense and they did it tonight."
Everybody's talked about how great practice was this week. How much did that affect what you were able to do on the field? And then also, you said goodbye to the cutouts on your way out of the stadium today. Can you talk about how much you miss the fans?
"Yeah. Well practice, I think it always starts with your Wednesday, Thursday, Friday practice. That's what sets the tone for the rest of the week and guys came in with the right mindset. I said it before, but it was just when guys come in and guys are locked in, taking it seriously, every play, every snap, it makes a difference on Sunday. As far as saying 'We miss you' to the Faithful, we really do miss you guys out there, man. It's different without fans. It's tough, but we're making the best of the situation, but just, Faithful, know that we miss you guys out there."
"Yeah, the ankle's definitely, it's made improvements this week. So, yeah, I could lean on it a little bit more, was able to move in the pocket a little bit, just was able to be myself really this week. It started with a good week of practice and got to thank the medical staff for doing their part."
On the fourth down pass to TE George Kittle, obviously, it gets an all-out blitz. Are you throwing it, almost having to just assume he's open or did you know he was open when you threw it and obviously you can take a hit?
"A little bit of both. We were hot on the play. They had an extra rusher, so the ball had to come out quick. George, he snapped it off and that's kind of one of those timing plays where we just have to be on the same page and we've done it so many times in practice that it really worked out. He did the rest with his feet. I didn't get to see it, but I heard it was a pretty sweet play."
You've practiced against CB Jason Verrett. So, curious what you think are his strengths as a cornerback and how much do you think his interception on that fourth down play in the end zone changed the game tonight?
How much does it change not having a guy like RB Raheem Mostert on the field with you guys?
"It's definitely different. Raheem is so unique, just his speed and how he hits the hole and how he sees things. I thought [RB Jerick McKinnon] Jet and [RB JaMycal] Hasty stepped up big tonight. Hasty came in at the end there, got some carries and he was seeing things very well, especially for a guy who hadn't played the first three quarters. So, our running backs, were pretty deep there, man. So, it's a good group of guys to be around."
After your third down run to set up the field goal with the hit that you kind of delivered on your own, the camera's caught you smiling. What was going through your head at that point and how big was that play for the team?
"Well, I knew where we needed to get to. Didn't really want to slide and even make it a longer field goal, so I was trying to actually to get down a little bit. DB wanted to, I don't know, just kind of happened last second, running into each other like that. But, it was a big, big point of the game just to get us another three points to keep that lead and really help the defense out."
"Yeah, I think that's part of our offense. When we're at our best is when we could run the ball like that, have the RPO's off of it, play action. When [head coach] Kyle's [Shanahan] mixing all that stuff up like that, it makes it hard on defenses. It's a pick your poison type of thing. Kyle did a great job tonight putting us in good positions. He was on point tonight, so it makes all of our jobs a lot easier."
You talked earlier in the week about the team having not found its identity. Do you feel like how you played tonight you guys are closer to that?
"Definitely. Yeah, definitely. We're definitely moving in the right direction. I wouldn't say we're totally there yet. There's still a lot football left in the season, but how we finished this game, it felt a lot like last year, just how we were controlling the clock at the end of the game, running the ball, converting third downs. That's when we really put teams away and that's what we did tonight."
George has talked very specifically about the offensive captains needing to raise their game, pointing to himself, obviously, but other captains. Obviously, he's a guy who plays real hard and makes big plays. How does that come across when you hear something like that?
Speaking of next week, you'll be going back to Boston to play the Patriots. What are your thoughts on going back there and how much of a momentum boost is this win for that?
"It will be cool. You know, getting back to the old stomping grounds. See some familiar faces, but we'll enjoy this one tonight. Get on the film for the Patriots and everything tomorrow. Yeah, this win will definitely give us a little momentum, but next week is going to be another dog fight."
