The Five Most Entertaining Games the 49ers Played in 2022
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2022 didn't end the way the San Francisco 49ers wanted, but it does not take away the exciting season that they had.
Finishing the regular season on a 10-game winning streak is simply phenomenal. On that winning streak, the 49ers played some blockbuster worthy games and carried that trend into the playoffs. A lot of them have tremendous replay value, which is a testament to how entertaining they were. But there are some matchups that stood out more than others and that includes the buildup/hype surrounding them.
Here are the five most entertaining games the 49ers played in 2022.
Week 13 vs Miami Dolphins
This was a good ole "master versus apprentice" type of game. It was Kyle Shanahan "the master" versus Mike McDaniel "the apprentice" leading his red hot 8-3 Dolphins team into Levi's Stadium. The popcorn was out for this matchup with the 49ers finding a groove themselves after winning their previous four games. Miami was an electric offense with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, while the 49ers had a stout defense that gave minimal ground. Which side was going to break first?
Well, it turned out it was both offense and defense for the Dolphins, especially their defense. Jimmy Garoppolo went down and out early in this game with a broken foot. That is when Brock Purdy came in and just lit it up. It was quite the storybook game for him given he was "Mr. Irrelevant" and the savior of the game. The 49ers were fun to watch on offense and were completely making the Dolphins' electric offense look like a dud. McDaniel ended up being added to the long list of assistant coaches that Shanahan has defeated after the 33-17 loss.
Week 15 vs Seattle Seahawks
When is a matchup against the Seahawks not entertaining? There is always at least one game that does it and it was the second matchup in Week 15 that did it. Going into Seattle on a short week in primetime with the NFC West division title on the line was immense pressure on the 49ers. Not to mention they were going into a hostile environment that they have won only once in 10 years and with a rookie backup quarterback. This was going to really be a test to see if the 49ers can handle their business.
And boy, did they handle it. The Seahawks never stood a chance as they lost 21-13. The final score makes it closer than how the game actually played out. Seattle couldn't do anything on offense with Charvarius Ward putting the clamps on D.K. Metcalf. On offense, the 49ers were using Christian McCaffrey as bell cow as he lit it up with 138 total yards and a touchdown. Even Purdy, with a hurting oblique, was playing well. The opening touchdown drive was pure art with the double pump fake action that got George Kittle wide open to score. Given the stakes and the history, this game made for one sweet viewing.
Week 8 vs Los Angeles Rams
Speaking of fun division games, the 49ers continued their season sweep streak of the Rams. This time they did it with one player leading the show and that was McCaffrey. It had been less than a few weeks that McCaffrey was with the 49ers, yet he had already become embedded within the 49ers' complex playbook. In a game where Deebo Samuel was out, McCaffrey needed to turn it up for this game and he did not disappoint one bit. He went out there and put on a show with a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown.
Watching him be so majestic on the field was incredibly entertaining, especially given his limited time with the 49ers. Then there is also the fact that the 49ers were in a must win game to keep their season afloat. McCaffrey wasn't the only one who was great. Brandon Aiyuk accompanied him to be impactful and so did Kittle. Even Garoppolo was playing excellently, throwing 21-of-25 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. It was a complete game from the 49ers that they so desperately needed going into their bye week. The Rams put up a fight for a good half but couldn't do anything else in their 31-14 loss.
Week 17 vs Las Vegas Raiders
This game had an automatic "win" next to it for the 49ers. The Raiders were having another typical losing season and had just benched nine-year starter Derek Carr. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham was set to make his first career start, which was crazy to do so against one of the best defenses in the league. However, not only was this not an easy win, it ended up playing out as an extremely entertaining back-and-forth matchup. The 49ers defense that has always been the most reliable of the two sides of the ball was getting wrecked by a backup quarterback.
No one could have predicted how stellar Stidham would look in his debut going 23-of-34 for 365 yards and three touchdowns. The only plays the 49ers defense made were the two interceptions they forced Stidham into, which tipped the game in their favor. If it wasn't for the offense, then this would've been an upset loss in Las Vegas. The Niners would score, then the Raiders would answer back.
At one point, the 49ers were down by double digits. It was the first real adversity that they had been in during their winning streak. This game proved to be beneficial because it allowed Purdy to be tested on the road. Purdy played a strong game with McCaffrey and Aiyuk being the stars in a tough 37-34 overtime win. This game was easily the top-10 most entertaining of all teams overall.
Divisional playoff round vs Dallas Cowboys
Playoff football is just different, especially when it is the 49ers against the Cowboys. This is the game that has to be the most entertaining of the 49ers' season. A playoff game against a historic rival with an appearance in the NFC Championship game on the line. This was such a highly anticipated matchup and the best game of the Divisional playoff weekend. Both teams fielded superb defenses, so it was a matter of which offense was going to find more success. It wasn't easy for most of the game for either side. Moving the ball and putting up points was such a struggle.
This was a classic defensive game where points were going to come at a premium. Hopefully, if you're the gambling type, you took the under in this game. The Cowboys had a decent offense, but ultimately could not overcome the vaunted Niners' defense. Meanwhile, Purdy was able to deliver several impactful throws with most to Kittle giving them a pathway to victory. This game kept you on the edge of your seat, fan or not. And one where a 19-12 victory felt ever so sweet.
