The San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit LIons 30-27 in an ugly win. It is still a win, but the team has a lot to work on, none more than cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon who had a very bad day in coverage. While Richard Sherman was not targeted near as often, Witherspoon was picked on all afternoon, leading to the 49ers benching him late in the 4th quarter.
Sherman has been seen as Witherspoon’s mentor and was asked about what may be Witherspoon’s worst day as a pro in his post-game press conference. Sherman said whether he had a good game or a bad game, Witherspoon has 24 hours and then it’s time to move on.
“This is the NFL, next week is a whole new beast. You’re facing a whole new team, a whole new scheme. If you caught five picks? They are going to test you again. If you got five balls caught on you, they are going to test you again regardless. That’s this league and I think he’s going to bounce back.”
It’s not going to get any easier for Witherspoon. The 49ers are traveling to Kansas City to face the Chiefs. A team whose aerial attack is nothing short of elite. If they can’t get the ball to Tyreek Hill, they can elect to go towards Travis Kelce or Sammy Watkins instead and achieve the same results. Sherman is going to figure into the Chiefs’ game plan as will Witherspoon. Witherspoon no doubt has a chance to bounce back, but no matter who the 49ers put him on next Sunday, he’s going to have his work cut out for him.
“I believe in him,” Sherman said later on. “I believe in him, I think he believes in himself, there’s just simple mistakes.”