Hightower: That’s our goal, complementary football, offense, defense, and special teams

“It’s just good complementary football. And we’ve got to keep doing that if we want to try to string together more wins.”

The 49ers’ defense prevented the Eagles from scoring touchdowns in back-to-back possessions in the first quarter. Javon Kinlaw blocking the field goal was a pivotal moment for San Francisco.

Special Teams coach Richard Hightower spoke on the efforts of the blocked FG below.

On that blocked field goal with DT Javon Kinlaw, he got off the ground pretty well for a guy with a bad knee. Did you know that he had that in him?

“Yeah. Kinlaw always talks about his vertical and he did a really good job of getting up on that play. He timed it out perfect. It’s a great individual effort by him. [DL] D.J. Jones did a nice job getting some push as well.

And sometimes those things time up that way. And not to leave out, [LB Demetrius] Flannigan-Fowles did a heck of a job because as you guys know, if that ball is blocked behind the line of scrimmage, they can pick it up and they can advance it for a first down with the score being zero to three, there. Flanagan did a nice job and we had a lot of guys in pursuit, but Flanagan made that tackle. Flannigan-Fowles did to keep that guy behind the sticks and then the offense moved the ball 13, I think it was a 13-play drive and then Mitch punted it.

And, Trent downed it at the three. And then the next play was the 91-yard pass, which I didn’t think about myself. But Adam Peters brought it up to me if Mitch doesn’t get that ball and they don’t down that ball at the three, then that becomes a touchdown.

So that’s how impactful that one play is from the blocked field goal all the way through. And then the defense has a great goal-line stand there and then our offense gets it at the three and then they take a 97 and finished. And we finished with points. So it’s just good complementary football.

And we’ve got to keep doing that if we want to try to string together more wins. That’s our goal, complementary football, offense, defense, and special teams.”

I wrote how last week’s win was a team win in all three phases. Hightower pointing out Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles’ efforts is key because he prevented the first down.

Deommodore Lenoir had two crucial plays in both of those possessions that prevented touchdowns. First, he guarded DeVonta Smith in man to man on third down as Smith ran a crosser across the field.

Then, as Lenoir trailed, he could get in position to get a hand on it. The second play came when he pinned Jalen Reagor to the sideline forcing him out of bounds. Lenoir using the sideline to his advantage is a good thing.

Lenoir will be tested by Davantae Adams, who’s coming off a monster game against the Lions. It helps when you have two safeties back there, as good as anyone doing it. With Emmanuel Moseley still practicing on the side, I wouldn’t be surprised if Josh Norman started again.

San Francisco will need another complementary game against the Packers. Green Bay is already missing their best pass-rusher, and franchise left tackle in Za’Darius Smith and David Bakhtiari. However, they still have the reigning MVP in Aaron Rodgers.

The Niners’ offense has to capitalize on playing a defensive line that is not as good as the last two they’ve faced. It’ll be interesting to see the running back rotation used Sunday night.

I don’t have “a biggest concern” going into the game, but it’s easy to point at two things; cornerback play and the offenses’ ability to move the ball.

Jimmy Garoppolo needs to play at a higher level to avoid digging themselves into a hole early. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has stayed aggressive in the two games played. I’d expect him to throw some new wrinkles on defense to create turnovers.