The 49ers currently are a team that can win only one way.
What can Kyle Shanahan do to help his offence during the bye week, rather than criticising his defensive coordinator and handing him on to another defensive end?
That’s the player who hasn’t exceeded 17 points in a game since Week 5.
As things stand right now, the 49ers can only win when they take an early lead. They can then easily win after that. However, they struggle to catch up if they fall behind, particularly in the fourth quarter. Perhaps Brock Purdy is to blame for that. He has made four mistakes in the last two fourth quarters, so perhaps he is just a choker in close games.
Or maybe Shanahan is the root of the issue late in close games. Remember, the 49ers do not practice two-minute drills according to former 49ers practice squad quarterback Kurt Benkert. He says they feel practicing hurry-up offense is a waste of time because they don’t use it enough, because they’re usually winning late in games.
Not anymore.
Shanahan needs to make it a point of emphasis to practice hurry-up offense during the bye week. Create situations in which the offense is down two scores with eight minutes remaining on the clock. Let the players get a feel for the urgency of uptempo offense. Let Shanahan get a feel for calling plays quicker and with fewer pre-snap shifts and motions.
The entire offense needs to practice playing from behind if it’s going to improve in that area. That’s their homework for the bye week.
