16 observations from the 49ers shutout of the Saints

The San Francisco 49ers have won four games in a row. After starting the season 3-4, the team has rallied to a 7-4 record. In winning four straight, they went undefeated in November.

Here's what jumped out to me during the game:

• The 49ers' defense came out on fire.
• The 49ers' offense? Not as much.
• Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo need to figure out how to get the ball to Brandon Aiyuk more.
• T.Y. McGill is already making some noise on defense.
• Mike McGlinchey is terrible. Copy. Paste. Repeat.
• Six days after its best performance, the 49ers' offense was only able to score 13 points in the game.
• Third-down conversions, or a lack thereof, were a problem. They finished the game 5 for 13 on third down.
• Garoppolo took a beating in this game.
• The 49ers' 4th and goal play from the one-yard line was a head-scratcher. No Deebo Samuel. No Christian McCaffrey. And then you call a pass play.
• All Jauan Jennings does is make plays.

• Elijah Mitchell left the game with a knee injury (another MCL). The 49ers really need him.
• I heard McCaffrey was injured about the time I heard Mitchell was out. I immediately started feeling like I could throw up.
• After a couple of "injury-free" games, the 49ers made up for it in this game.
• Talanoa Hufanga. I write his name every week because he makes a big play every week.
• The 49ers put the game away on the back of Jordan Mason, the third-string,?undrafted running back.

• This defense. Seven straight quarters without giving up a point. And four straight games of not allowing a point in the second half.

This win was harder to get than it should have been. But the Saints have a good defense, and the 49ers were coming into the game after a multi-stop road trip in high altitude, on a short week. So we just need to be happy about the win.

Next up is the Miami Dolphins, and the return of several former 49ers players and coaches, including a couple of whiny running backs.

This will be a huge test for the San Francisco defense.

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