In the first of four games that will likely define the 49ers season, the team came up with a surprisingly close back-and-forth shootout win over the Titans, winning 37-24. Despite the good feelings, and the momentum going into next week’s game against the Colts, I can’t be alone in feeling somewhat flat after an uneven performance. Let’s take a look at why, and what might come next.

My Hottest Take: The offense can carry this team (and might have to)

One of the biggest positives about Sunday’s performance was the talent, effort, and cohesion shown by the team’s offense. It’s possibly one of the few times this season that all parts of the offense seem to have gelled, with Jauan Jennings, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall (more of him later) all helping Brock Purdy put up a great game, while Christian McCaffrey proved to be his usual self out of the backfield.

Purdy’s 295-yard, three-touchdown performance was excellent, and he also showed some pretty good wheels when scrambling too. At his best, Purdy can evoke memories of great 49ers quarterbacks like Steve Young; much like Young, he may only be respected when he wins a Super Bowl. Racking up 430 yards in total offense was key in keeping the Titans at bay, with the team looking pretty much like they could score on every possession, and converting what looked like a difficult game at halftime into a relatively sedate second half.

It’s a good job they did, because the 49ers defensive unit had one of its poorest games of the season. It’s hard to know what was worse: giving up around six yards per carry on the ground, or showing all the ball skills in the secondary of a horse with blinkers, but it was a truly incredibly bad performance against an offensive unit that hardly strikes fear in the heart.

We seem to incessantly hear how Robert Saleh is battling attrition, but it’s still his job to get the best out of his unit, and none of the three phases of it are playing well right now, even down to the defensive backs, who aren’t depleted by injuries.

With bigger tests coming up, the 49ers offense might have to put up upwards of 30 points a game to get those vital wins, particularly if the defense continues to misfire as it did on Sunday. Fortunately, they might be rounding into form at just the right time.

What You Need To Know: It gets harder from here

I think much of the reason I feel so flat after Sunday’s performance is the knowledge that that was supposed to be the easiest game remaining on our schedule. The Titans are feared by no one (with the possible exception of the Raiders), and most observers had the 49ers winning handily. Perhaps two scores could be considered that way, but I didn’t feel it was a particularly dominant performance.

That’s troubling, because we’ve got some really big tests coming up. Alright, Phillip Rivers is 44 and looks to have had a great Thanksgiving, but they have some threatening playmakers on the outside, and perhaps most troublingly for a run defense leaking oil, they’re about to face one of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor.

Following that with the Bears, who are an increasingly improving offensive unit, is not likely to be easy, while for all Seattle’s sputtering on offense, they’ve enough to worry this team. The 49ers are going to have to get back to basics on defense: winning the early downs and therefore hiding some of the anemia within the pass rush by being able to play the sticks on long third downs.

Before You Go: It’s Ricky Pearsall SZN (injuries pending)

Let’s end on a positive note, especially because it’s a player I’ve often gone to bat for since he was drafted last year. Pearsall is awesome. After having the unfortunate welcome to the professional ranks of being shot in the chest in his rookie season, Pearsall started his second season on fire, but again had it curtailed by a troublesome PCL injury which saw him miss several games. He finally looked back up to full speed and talent on Sunday, snagging six passes for 96 yards and frequently providing the team explosive play at the receiver spot–which is needed, as the 49ers offense has lacked explosive plays with him out.

He’s so important to the team: his speed opens up so much more of the field, and he seems to have excellent chemistry with Brock Purdy.

He’s improving all the time and looks set to ascend to another level, which is well-timed for the 49ers given Brandon Aiyuk’s disappearing act and Jauan Jennings’ expiring contract.

The problem? He’s aggravated that PCL injury again … let’s hope it’s nothing serious, because Pearsall being a part of the 49ers' offensive unit genuinely makes them a better team. He’s a chance to be an elite playmaker, if he can stay healthy.