San Fran needs time to get its act back together. A suspect offense isn’t questionable anymore, but that stout defense isn’t so stout these days.
There’s a pattern here. Over the past month, 49ers’ games came down to do-or-die plays. In Week 16, the ‘Niners came out on the winning end of another nailbiter. On the final drive, the offense converted two 3rd & 16 plays; the second was a bomb to Emmanuel Sanders, which set up Robbie Gould for a field goal. Gould hit the kick as time expired. The win put the ‘Niners atop the NFC and booted the Rams out of playoff contention.
But, my friends, enough is enough. Excitement is great, but the ‘Niners are too good to keep putting themselves in jeopardy. This team needs to make major changes. To do that effectively, San Fran needs a first-round bye. Figuring out some new plays, perhaps even a significantly adjusted game plan, aren’t the only reasons. The ‘Niners have a bunch of injuries, especially on defense, and could use the time to get their guys healthy.
49’ers Jaquiski Tartt (photo, Niners Noise)
The team’s big defensive acquisition, Dee Ford, has been missing with a hamstring, and the team misses his pass-rushing ability. Jaquiski Tartt has been an unsung hero at safety. His presence is sorely missed and shows on the field. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams have been playing hurt. They both could use an extra week to heal.
The problem, of course, is that this team needs to beat Seattle on Sunday. It’s the NFL’s GOW, and a lot is riding on the outcome. So the 49ers’ aren’t in the same position as the Ravens, who’ll rest their regulars when they play Pittsburgh in the finale.
What I’m concerned about is this: the current 49ers’ defense is a shell of what it was in the first half of the season. Back then, a defensive brick wall and the league’s best running attack made San Fran an elite team.
But that’s not the script these days. Yes, Jimmy Garoppolo–a big question mark earlier–has come through. But, if anything, the offense is relying too much on his arm. The 49ers need to get back to the team they were in the first half of the season. They were a running team that controlled the clock and had a defense that allowed two touchdowns or less a game.
Saying that isn’t meant to demean what Jimmy and his supporting cast are doing. I’m impressed with All-World TE George Kittle and surprising rookie, Deebo Samuel. Raheem Mostert has been strong at RB, and no words are enough to express what Emmanuel Sanders is doing. He has become the 49ers #1 receiver.
But the key is not to forget what got you to this point. With a trio of stud running backs, here’s a memo to Kyle Shannahan: RUN THE BALL AND WORK IN YOUR PLAY ACTION PASSES AS NEEDED.
San Francisco has all the pieces in place to win it all this season. But for that to happen, the defense must get back to form. Let’s face it: opposing teams are no longer afraid to play the 49ers. That needs to change if San Fran hopes to make a deep run–possibly all the way to the Super Bowl.
The good news is that a suspect offense isn’t suspect anymore. Jimmy and the crew are delivering. The ticket now is to get that previously formidable defense back to form.
I don’t know what happened to this defense other than injury. They were unstoppable. Great article. You hit every single point. I’m a huge 49ers fan. I agree with everything you said.
I don’t think the 49ers can pull it off this year. I think the Hawks beat them on Sunday and then they’ll play the Cowboys. They should beat them but after that I don’t think that defense is good enough anymore unless they get healthy like you mentioned. Good read!
I think they can go all the way but I agree the defense needs to do what they were doing months ago. They need Dee Ford back bad. Jimmy G has really surprised me. So I agree with your points but I don’t care about the running game so much if they can throw like they have been. But they aren’t going anywhere with the way the defense is playing now. By the way I really liked you Frank Gore article. He’s one of my favorites.