Performance Of 49ers Tight End George Kittle Leaves Cincinnati Feelin' Queasy

San Francisco tight end George Kittle somehow found a way to affect Cincinnati defenders more than some Skyline chili that sat out too long. In the 49ers' overtime win on Sunday, Kittle’s meat hooks left Bengals players and coaches with knots in their stomachs.

Kittle caught 13 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while fighting through a minor injury.

“When a guy is that explosive, and that big, that good of hands, that catch radius, he makes a lot of plays,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said postgame.

The success Kittle had in feasting on the Bengal secondary shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s been chewing up and spitting out defenses for a while. His 151 receiving yards made Sunday his fourth game of at least 150, the most ever for an NFL tight end.

“We tried everything,” said a still figuratively nauseous Taylor. “He’s one of the best tight ends."

Kittle, 28, led San Francisco in targets, catches and yards and tied for the team-lead in touchdowns. By midway through the game, even Stevie Wonder could see where the 49ers wanted to go with the ball.

“I promise you, we tried like hell to take him away, and he just finds a way to make those plays,” Taylor added.

Thanks to Kittle’s big day, Cincinnati and their playoff hopes likely can’t stomach another loss. They’re now third in the competitive AFC North and visit Denver next Sunday.

 

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