Season in review
by Ethan Crafter
Wow. I cannot believe the season is over. No more Sunday anxiety for seven months. The ups and downs, enough for a lifetime of support. Four Quarterbacks, and still a trip to the NFC Championship. It may be over, but this team has done us extremely proud.
The 49er Faithful UK have been with the team all the way, emotions always high. Showing that the game we love is more than just a sport. Friendships blossomed, connections made. Ending the season with one message: We will be back!
Week 1 Chicago Bears: Rain On Our Parade.
Finally the season starts. Anticipation was high for Trey Lance’s first game since being named the starting QB. A flash flood warning was in place in Chicago, setting the tone for the game before it had even started. Fear not, the UK Faithful start as they mean to go on, out in force in Leeds. At the half, the Niners were up 7-0 thanks to a Deebo Samuel rushing touchdown. The second half was a completely different story… Undisciplined, sums it up quite well. 12 penalties for 99 yards see the Niners shoot themselves in the foot. Ultimately losing the season opener, to a very weak Chicago team, 19-10.
Week 2 Seahawks: You Could’ve Done With A 12th Man!
Back at Levi’s for the home opener. First divisional game of the season, the mood was hopeful. However, disaster struck in the first quarter when Lance went down Injured. Lance broke his fibula but also tore his deltoid and syndesmotic ligaments. Huge blow, season ending injury. Jimmy Garoppolo comes in to save the day, with a little help from Deebo, who had a monster 51 yard run after he looked like losing yards. Niners win 27-7. The UK Faithful, of course, were representing at the home opener. Are you even a UK Niners fan is you don’t have this flag?
Week 3 Broncos: How?
On the road in Denver. The Niners miss out narrowly. Jimmy G steps out the back of the endzone for a safety, setting up a Denver 4th quarter comeback. Kyle Shanahan’s play calling was questioned at times. The less said about this game the better. The familiar flag was being flown in Denver by Ally Reid. Niners lose 11-10.
Week 4 Rams: Superbowl Hangover.
Back at Levi’s, facing the Rams for the first time since the 2022 NFC Championship. We looked like a different team. Deebo scored a monster 57 yard touchdown, making four men miss. This is the Deebo we paid for. Talanoa Hufanga makes himself known to the league with a 52 yard pick six, a player who we all love to see doing well. Hufanga and his fellow defence fought hard to get the win. They ended with seven, yes seven sacks between them. Niners win 24-9.
Week 5 Panthers: Run Game On Top.
Away in Carolina, the Niners looked to get back a positive record. The superb run game sealed the deal for a 37-15 win. The defence, of course, was fantastic. Topped off with a Mosley 41 yard pick six. The Niners did take some damage from the superb running back Christian McCaffrey, any team would love to have him! Tailgating in Carolina? Of course the UK Faithful were representing!
Week 5 also saw the second London game between the Giants and Packers. The UK Faithful turn out, even when the Niners are not playing. Hopefully there will be a London Niners game in 2023!
Week 6 Falcons: I Saw You On TV!
Week 6 saw another 49er Faithful UK meetup, this time with the presence of Sky Sports. The UK Faithful getting some recognition, no one does it quite like the Faithful! As for the game, away in Atlanta, 49ers disasterclass. The run game never got going, that’s never a good sign. A 28-14 loss leaves us 3-3, has to be said a disappointing start to the season.
The 21st October was a momentous day in the 49ers season. We sign arguably the best Running Back in the league, Christian McCaffrey. John Lynch following in the footsteps of the Rams, giving up four draft picks. The overriding feeling of excitement was hard to hide.
Week 7 Chiefs: WHAT IS GOING ON?
Back at Levis for a tough game against Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs. Not much hope going into this one, many fans frustrated with the current run of results. We lose 44-23. A common feeling of anger during the game. Not the start CMC would’ve wated either. This week we also saw the fresh faced Mr Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.
Week 8 Rams: Levi’s South.
Away at the 49ers second home, and what a game it was. That was more like it, this is the Niners team we love to watch. CMC explodes this game, what a great addition. He had, a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown, that is outrageous! The best of those being a 34 yard trick play where he threw a dime to an open Brandon Aiyuk. Jimmy G also played a blinder, 21/25, 235 yards and 2 touchdowns.
There was another London game in week 8. The Broncos saw off the London regular Jaguars 21-17.
Week 10 Chargers: Shocking The World.
After a fantastic bounce back win in week 8, the Niners looked to start gaining some serious momentum after the bye week. A home 22-16 win against Chargers gave us just that. The overarching feelings of doom and gloom seems a thing of the past, the belief is back. Now we eye the NFC West leading Seahawks.
Week 10 also saw the NFL make a trip to Germany. Boyhood Niners fan Tom Brady and his Buccaneers do us a massive favour and beat the Seahawks 21-16.
Week 11 Cardinals: Duelo Divisional Mexicano.
The Niners go international for a divisional matchup with the Cardinals. A huge game in the battle for the NFC West. Jimmy G had arguably one of his best games of his career. With stats like this: 20/29, 228 yards, four touchdowns, 131.9 passer rating, you can see why people might think that. An absolute divisional thrashing, we won 38-10.
Week 12 Saints: Defence Wins Championships.
The defence is starting to get healthy and rising in the rankings. We all knew how good this defence is, now the league know. At home to the Saints, we win 13-0, a shutout victory. Both defences play well this game, but of course, our defence was better. Four wins in a row now, it’s night and day compared to the start of the season. 49er Faithful UK President Lee Gowland, amongst others, was in attendance for this game, and gave us some great photos.
Week 13 Dolphins: Well That’s The Season Over?
Week 13 saw former 49ers Defensive Co-ordinator Mike McDaniel return to Levis. The Dolphins started the season well, with McDaniel becoming one of the most liked coaches in the NFL. Disaster strikes. Jimmy G broke his foot and forces Mr Irrelevant Purdy onto the field. A collective feeling of disbelief. How can we be this unlucky? Little did we know John Lynch and the front office picked out another late round gem. The path to success is rarely straight, and when you get an opportunity you have to take it. That’s exactly what he did. Brock leads us to a 33-17 home win.
Week 14 Buccaneers: The GOAT vs Brady.
This was the real test for the third choice QB. Brady and the Buccaneers come to Levis to spoil the Purdy party. It turns out… It’s Brock Purdy’s world and we’re just living in it. This fearless rookie is the player we’ve been searching for, not afraid to take deep shots. Play of the game was a 27 yard TD to McCaffrey, what a throw and catch. Brock ended he day with a 134 passer rating and showed Brady up. Niners win 35-7.
Week 15 Seahawks: Best Of The West!
Away in Seattle, the Niners looked to keep the win streak going. Belief is quite high in Purdy, everyone has rallied behind him. In the hugely important divisional matchup, the Niners win 21-13. This game also means we won the NFC west and look in a great position heading into the final games. George Kittle exploded in this game. He had two touchdowns, averaging 23.2 yards per carry.
Week 16 Commanders: Ray Ray McCloud 9.
On Christmas Eve the Niners hoped to give the Faithful an early Christmas present, although that could’ve been Brock Purdy. The offence played fantastically this game. George Kittle had another two touchdowns. No one is a bigger fan of Purdy than Kittle. Ray Ray McCloud, a man who had an under the radar season, made a huge 71 yard run for a touchdown. This team is so great to watch.
Christmas day. The UK Faithful can stop hinting at gifts for Christmas, for at least a month.
Week 17 Raiders: Going For Gould.
Away against an old rival in Las Vegas. Hugely important that we keep the momentum going and get a win. The main man Brock Purdy had an inspirational game. His first big challenge as a starting QB. Purdy showed great pocked awareness and manoeuvrability in a tough game and helped the team win 37-34. Robbie Gould redeemed himself in overtime after missing a game winning field goal deep in the 4th quarter. It was a happy new year for all the Faithful.
Week 18 Cardinals: QB1.
The last game of the regular season, playoffs already clenched. This was our chances to go 6-0 against the NFC West. The game at Levi’s did not disappoint. Purdy arguably had his best game. His three touchdowns and 141.3 passer rating helped confirm the great end to the season. Elijah Mitchell showed he’s still a threat, two touchdowns for him also. A 38-13 win is something to be proud of looking back over the season. I don’t think any fan would’ve thought we would be this good after the injuries we had.
Wildcard Weekend Seahawks: Game Of Two Halves.
Crunch time now. The Niners enter the playoffs after a bitterly disappointing end the previous year. It was a nervous first half and it simply was not good enough. Second half is when the Purdy party stared, he showed great pocket awareness at ended the game with three passing touchdowns. The belief was now starting to show, and other teams feared us. We win the game 41-23, banking our third win over the season over the Seahawks. Some members of the 49ers Faithful UK were In attendance for this great win!
Divisional Round Cowboys: America’s Team (Not).
The hardest test so far was upon us. A team who despite also having key injuries, was a feared team in the playoffs. We needed our big players to step up in this big moments, and they did not disappoint. Kittle and McCaffery both made huge plays on a game winning drive. Kittle with one of the most impressive catches I have ever seen. This game was billed to be a battle of the defences. Afterall they do win championships. It was just as well our defence outplayed Dallas. We win 19-12. The Niners were serious contenders, we knew the next game will be even harder. Sky Sports went on the road for their coverage of the Bengals vs Bills game at Shooter Bar, Manchester. UK NFL fans were invited to watch the game with pundits and ask live questions. Sky Sports putting more effort into the NFL is a testament to its popularity and deep rooted support in the UK.
NFC Championship Eagles: This One Hurts.
Before the game started, we all knew even though we desperately wanted to win, this team has exceeded all expectations after the turbulent season. The only thing we asked for is a fair shot, and I don’t think we got that… After overcoming large amounts of adversity all season, the last thing we wanted was another huge injury. After Purdy’s injury, Josh Johnson came onto the field. Yes, he’s a seasoned veteran, but there is a reason he’s the league’s biggest journeyman. We have to give huge credit to Shanahan, working with four quarterbacks is a seriously hard job. But this mountain has one step too far for the Niners to overcome.
However, The 49er UK Faithful ended the season in a good fashion. Despite the disappointing result the 49ers meetup in Leeds was a huge success. This family has gone through everything together over this turbulent season, and is forever growing. The Elland Road watch party was a nice ending to this chapter
