Safety Ji'Ayir Brown tallied a game-high and career-high 13 tackles on Sunday in the San Francisco 49ers' 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins, helping his team improve to 2-0 on the season. While the 49ers have allowed just 20 points through two games, Brown acknowledges there is still room for improvement on defense.
Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area after the game, Brown revealed the defense's lofty goal for the season.
"Our expectation is not letting them in the red zone," Brown said. "So if we can keep teams from getting to the red zone, that'll be a big improvement for us, and we're definitely capable of doing it."
However, when the conversation turned to the 49ers' offense, Brown lit up with excitement. Like so many others, he is impressed by what the unit has accomplished through the first two games. San Francisco's offense currently ranks fourth in the NFL in yards per play and fifth in scoring.
"This offense is crazy," Brown said. "We've got so many weapons. You can go to [WR] Mike [Evans], you can go to [RB] Christian [McCaffrey], you can go to Juice (fullback Kyle Juszczyk), you can go to [TE] George [Kittle], you can go to [WR] Deebo [Samuel], you can go to [WR] Demarcus Robinson.
"We got dogs. All veteran guys that got so much respect around the building, so much respect in the league, and they just make plays when it's their time."
And it's quarterback Brock Purdy delivering the football to all of those weapons.
Purdy was remarkably efficient against the Dolphins, completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards and two passing touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown.
Purdy is currently Pro Football Focus' highest-graded NFL player of Week 2, with a 96.6 overall offensive grade.
While Brown believes Purdy was already a great quarterback, the safety thinks the 49ers signal-caller may have taken another step forward this season.
"The step he took this year in camp—because we went against him every day, and his ceiling's still high," Brown said. "He still feels like he can be better. He feels like he could have went 22 for 22. So, he's going to continue to strive for greatness and be who he is, and that's what makes this team great."
Despite the 49ers losing multiple receivers this season—Ricky Pearsall in training camp, De'Zhaun Stribling in Week 1, and most recently Demarcus Robinson against the Dolphins—Purdy continues to find ways to get his remaining pass catchers involved.
"It don't matter to him," Brown added. "He didn't have none of them guys last year. He still went out there and balled and led us to the second round of the playoffs. So, just give him weapons, and he's going to keep making plays for you."
More info on: Ji'Ayir Brown, Mike Evans, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling
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