49ers Special Teams: A Weakness Turned Strength

There are three aspects of an NFL team: offense, defense, and special teams. While each plays an important role in determining the outcome of a game, the 49ers’ special teams — and the players on these units — often receive far less attention than the team’s quarterback, running back, pass rusher, and middle linebacker.

49ers Special Teams: A Weakness Turned Strength

Why Special Teams Matter in December Football

Yet, so many NFL games come down to a game-winning field goal attempt by one of the team’s placekickers or a team having to drive 95 yards late in the fourth quarter after being pinned deep by the opposing team’s punter. This is especially true in the later stages of the regular season and the playoffs when games carry higher stakes. 

49ers Enter the Stretch Run With Playoff Stakes High

Entering Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season with a 9-4 record, the San Francisco 49ers harbor legitimate playoff aspirations. If the season ended today, they would be the sixth seed in the NFC playoff bracket. Alas, that is not the case, which means that should the 49ers lose a game or two, the Detroit Lions or Carolina Panthers could rise and steal that playoff spot.

As a result, the 49ers must play mistake-free football over the season’s final four weeks to continue winning games and maintain a playoff berth.

Quarterback Brock Purdy’s return has boosted the team’s offense by taking some of the load off running back Christian McCaffrey’s shoulders. The drama with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not deterred the team’s offense from continuing to put up points.

On the other side of the ball, the 49ers have been playing well without injured defensive leaders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Several younger players thrust into starting roles have stepped up in their absence. With linebacker Tatum Bethune one of many injured 49ers who benefited from the bye week, the team’s defense will likely remain a strength. It will be fascinating to see how the team’s defense fares against fellow playoff contenders Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks, in its last two regular-season games.

The Overlooked Phase Boosting San Francisco’s Playoff Push

One overlooked factor quietly keeping the 49ers in playoff contention is their special teams.

Improved Kicking Game Stabilizes the 49ers Special Teams Unit

The 49ers signed kicker Eddy Piñero to replace former kicker Jake Moody earlier this season. Piñero has been nearly automatic, converting the vast majority of his kicks and stabilizing a role that had been inconsistent early in the season. He missed the team’s last game against the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Matt Gay, made two field goals and two extra points. Veteran punter Thomas Morstead has continued his reliable ways in his first season in San Francisco. The 39-year-old has punted 38 times with a longest of 55 yards. Half of his kicks have landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. 

Skyy Moore Adds a Return Threat the 49ers Have Long Needed

On returns, wide receiver Skyy Moore has quietly given San Francisco another boost. He has returned 21 punts and 25 kickoffs, normally only getting a few yards each attempt. However, on occasion, he has broken free. A few weeks ago, against the Arizona Cardinals, Moore took the opening kickoff a season-best 98 yards to the two-yard line. In the 49ers’ game against the Browns, Moore returned a punt a season-best 66 yards to give his offense good starting field position.