The San Francisco 49ers have made a host of big-time acquisitions under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch in their quest to finally scale the Super Bowl mountain for a sixth time in franchise history.

Deals for the likes of Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey and, more recently, Javon Hargrave and Chase Young, have attracted substantial attention as those players have made huge impacts.

But one of their more underrated moves of recent years was the free agent signing of cornerback Charvarius Ward last year. For a big-ticket move, it didn't generate many headlines, but the former Kansas City Chiefs defender's importance to San Francisco's cause was clear for all to see as the 49ers stomped the Seattle Seahawks 31-13 on Thanksgiving Night to take a two-game lead in the NFC West.

Ward, having allowed 33 yards on four catches in coverage against DK Metcalf in the 49ers' division-clinching win in Seattle last year, traveled with the physically imposing Seahawks star in Thursday's primetime contest, and the results were even more spectacular.

Metcalf was targeted six times with Ward in coverage, and caught only one pass for 14 yards on those attempts, of which Ward broke up two. Ward also registered a pass breakup on a Geno Smith endzone shot for Tyler Lockett, leaving NBC color announcer Cris Collinsworth to insist the corner get a turkey leg as the 49ers enjoyed a post-game feast at Lumen Field.

Ward revealed afterwards that Shanahan had decided on a pre-game tweak to the coverage plan to have him follow Metcalf.

"I think he asked the DB coach, and they talked, and he was wondering why I wasn't following DK tonight," Ward told reporters. 

"The game plan wasn't for me to follow him. I guess he talked to John Lynch, and coach Shanahan, he was like, why not? We need him to. So they told me to do it, and I was up to the task. I felt like I had a pretty good game."

Asked what inspired his outstanding night, Ward replied: 

"I think it was the all-white uniforms. Any time we put the all-white uniforms on I feel faster. I just feel good. You know what I'm saying? You feel good, you look good, you play good. But no, it was a primetime game, The whole world watching. The lights was on, so it brings a little extra out of you. You know you got to go out there and ball 'cause the whole world watching. The whole NFL, they're scanning your abilities as a team. That's what we went out and did tonight, so the world knows what 49ers football looks like."

And his thoughts on the turkey?

“Yeah, this is my first time playing on Thanksgiving, so I was kind of excited I was able to be one of the players of the game and get a turkey leg," he said. "I just thank God for that, for allowing me to have a good game like that. It felt amazing."

It's unclear if Ward or his teammates shared any of the turkey with Shanahan, who said of his decision to follow Metcalf: "It's something that is always an option, just the way our scheme is and stuff. 

"It's not something that we do a lot. We did it last year with him [Ward]. It's paid off every time we've done it. DK is such a good player. He's also a specimen. A lot of ability. They're going to try to get him the ball, take their shots outside. You want to put your best corner on him. He was ready for that.

"He didn't hesitate. He was up for the challenge. He's been up for it throughout last year, as you guys could see. He was up for it today. Doesn't disappoint. He was really impressive."

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