INSANITY, California The San Francisco 49ers seemed like a team headed for another lengthy postseason run throughout the first five weeks of the season.
In case anyone believed it was a coincidence due to a light schedule, the Niners destroyed the Dallas Cowboys on national television in Week 5 after dominating the teams they should have.
Because of this, it is even more perplexing and concerning that the Niners are currently 5-3 and on a three-game losing run as they head into their bye.
“I thought there was things that we were sloppy on versus Cleveland, mainly the penalties and struggling against the run,” Kyle Shanahan, our coach, stated. “I felt there were some very good footage from Minnesota that I really enjoyed, especially the way we appeared on camera and our intensity and all that kind of stuff. But I felt like we labored against a pretty good quarterback, gave up too many huge plays, and a few busts.
“Then, I think the thing that stands out the most to me on the tape from Sunday’s game against Cincinnati is how lethargic and slow we appeared to be. It was discouraging to witness a different kind of intensity on tape. However, I also understand that they require this relaxation, as evidenced by the most.”
In fact, throughout the last three weeks, the Niners have appeared to be an entirely different squad. No player or side of the ball is exempt from the issues. Some seem like easy fixes. Others could require more time.
In any case, the 49ers had three trips to the NFC Championship game in the previous four seasons going into this one, and the clock was running out on them to make a breakthrough and win a Super Bowl. The Niners traded defensive end Chase Young for a 2024 third-round pick on Tuesday because they don’t have time to sit around hoping and praying that things would miraculously get better.
We’ll examine the issues the 49ers have encountered during their current losing run and assess the likelihood that each one may be resolved through trades or other strategies.
Injuries
The Niners are hoping that the bye week will help them address their health issues. After five weeks of fairly healthy play, San Francisco fell to the Browns in Week 6 and lost All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (sprained right ankle), receiver Debbie Samuel (hairline fracture in his shoulder), and running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique strain).
Samuel and Williams have missed the last two games, but McCaffrey has been able to play through it for the last two weeks. Numerous things have been affected by their absence.
After the bye, Shanahan is hopeful that both will return. The Niners would welcome both players back as soon as possible, particularly because Williams’ blocking and Samuel’s versatility can be crucial in reviving the team’s struggling run game.
The Niners averaged 34.6 carries per game over the first five games, resulting in 156.4 running yards on 4.5 yards per attempt. These figures have decreased to 23.3 carries for 95.3 yards on 4.1 yards per rush over the last three.
After the bye, reviving the run game will be of utmost importance, considering the numerous opportunities it presents in Shanahan’s playbook.
Tight end George Kittle stated, “You could run play action, boot legs, keepers, all that off of it when you have outside zone.” It’s also challenging to run the ball and get access to all those plays when there are turnovers and penalties for players who are playing downfield or behind the sticks. We must start out early and clean. Then we carry on as the familiar and beloved physical 49ers offense—running the football, outside zone, and some gap schemes.”
Turnovers
Kittle discussed the trickle-down effect, which is that a Niners team that was playing with large leads on a regular basis is now finding itself in more challenging circumstances in the second half, when rookie quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to pull off huge comebacks when the defense is aware of what is going to happen.
That has led to turnovers, which are arguably the 49ers’ most worrying recent losing streak’s problem. Over their last five games, the Niners had just two interceptions and zero giveaways. In the last three, they have given up seven touchdowns and intercepted five. Furthermore, four of the interceptions occurred on the grounds of the opposition.
Purdy has performed admirably this season overall, but he still needs to demonstrate that he can perform effectively when the game is close.
“It’s like, trust in the play, trust in what we’re trying to do,” Purdy stated. “And if it’s not present, attempt to induce something to occur, but avoid pressuring it. Be wise with it even when you’re attempting to force things to happen. Thus, there’s undoubtedly a delicate line.”
Stephen A.: The 49ers are facing a major issue with Brock Purdy.
Stephen A. Smith explains his disapproval of Brock Purdy’s actions.
Tackling
The 49ers’ problems are much more extensive on defense. Under new coordinator Steve Wilks, difficulties were always expected, but the first five weeks appeared to allay worries, leading to a notable decline over the next three.
The Niners’ sudden incapacity to tackle on a regular basis has been the most unexpected aspect of it. The Niners defense has been known for its sound tackling in recent years, and it appeared to be working this season as well, as they had only 24 missed tackles in their opening five games. They have missed 32 passes in the last three weeks, including a season-high 13 against the Bengals on Sunday.
The chunk plays that were short gains were caused by the missed tackles. The Niners had allowed just 10 plays of 20 yards or more in the first five games, the fewest in the NFL, and were allowing an average of 49.4 yards after first contact per game, second best in the league. These figures have increased to 15 plays of 20 yards or more allowed and 100.7 yards after contact per game, both of which are 31st. Over the last three weeks, a rush defense that finished first in the NFL in 2022 has allowed 122.7 yards and 4.5 yards per carry, placing them 24th and 27th, respectively.
The Niners have the same players who performed so well to start the season, so theoretically this should be an easy fix. However, they still need to demonstrate that they can tackle effectively over the long term.
Linebacker Fred Warner stated, “I’m not going to make excuses for why we’re missing tackles.” “We’ve got to tackle better.”
Coverage/Pass rush
Perhaps stronger pass coverage would alleviate the 49ers’ tackling problems. Wilks had a reputation for being combative when he moved to San Francisco. Wilks frequently combined man coverage with high blitz rates during his prior stops. Throughout the majority of Shanahan’s seven seasons, the Niners have done the exact opposite, rushing with four and switching up zone coverages.
The Niners are obviously having trouble connecting their coverage to their pass rush in a way that allows the rusher enough time to get home, even though Wilks’ splits aren’t much different from what the team did before he arrived. Over the last three weeks, the 49ers have only had five sacks and thirty pressures.
Given their ongoing commitment to the defensive line, that is insufficient, and they believe that adding Young will assist. Shanahan has already been asked if he still has faith in Wilks in light of all of that. Talks of shifting Wilks from the booth to the sideline in an attempt to ignite the defense are part of this.
Such actions are actually primarily cosmetic in nature; they are the kind that might be taken to show that you’re attempting something new rather than making significant progress toward improving yourself. The key to the Niners’ improvement must be returning to their foundation. That was made clear in Shanahan’s farewell speech to his squad prior to the bye.
“Bottom line was we’ve got to get better in every aspect,” stated Shanahan.