5 Things the San Francisco 49ers Need to Accomplish During Week 8 Bye
The San Francisco 49ers now have two full weeks to heal and regroup after suffering an embarrassing 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
One might throw up his or her hands and simply admit the season is lost after this ugly defeat. But the 49ers have some promising times ahead on the horizon.
The first of these will be San Francisco's Week 8 bye—a rest period that will be a welcomed relief and a chance to shore up some of the issues that have plagued this franchise over the first half of the season.
So exactly what should be the 49ers' top priorities as they enter the bye?
The health of the team is an obvious concern. Injuries have taken a substantial toll on San Francisco's roster. But it isn't the only area of question. The 49ers need to focus on the remaining half of the schedule. A number of roster spots will need to be addressed.
Overall, San Francisco has to regroup and regain the momentum lost in Week 7.
The bye is coming at precisely the right time for this 49ers unit—an element further backed up by linebacker Ahmad Brooks' statements via CSN Bay Area.
"VIDEO: Ahmad Brooks believes bye coming at 'perfect' time for #49ers http://t.co/rqWREHu6t0 #49ersTalk #NFL pic.twitter.com/GjaGQBEUhY
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) October 20, 2014"
We know San Francisco will utilize the bye to its advantage. Exactly how this happens remains to be seen.
Let's take a look at the five pressing issues that need to be addressed before the 49ers return to action in Week 9 against the St. Louis Rams.
Prepare for the Remaining Schedule
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49ers' Remaining 2014 Regular-Season Schedule
Sunday, November 2 vs. St. Louis Rams (2-4)
Sunday, November 9 at New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Sunday, November 16 at New York Giants (3-4)
Sunday, November 23 vs. Washington Redskins (2-5)
Thursday, November 27 vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Sunday, December 7 at Oakland Raiders (0-6)
Sunday, December 14 at Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Saturday, December 20 vs. San Diego Chargers (5-2)
Sunday, December 28 vs. Arizona Cardinals (5-1)
It would be an easy statement to make that San Francisco has already traversed the most difficult portion of its 2014 regular-season schedule.
The 49ers have already knocked off tough teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Late-game implosions against the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears also suggest San Francisco could have been 6-1 had those respective games been slightly different.
Yes, San Francisco has weathered the storm, and it is worth pointing out the success rate of teams the 49ers have already faced—an overall winning percentage of .659, according to Chris Biderman of Scout.com.
"The teams the 49ers have already played leading into the bye have a combined .659 winning percentage.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) October 20, 2014"
But to state the 49ers have crested the difficult portion of the schedule is naive. Looking at the second half, we can already determine a number of substantial challenges ahead.
San Francisco's first four games appear to be pushovers, at least on paper. While the St. Louis Rams always seem to give the 49ers a tough challenge, the fact that this is a home game combined with San Francisco's bye gives a clear edge to the Red and Gold.
Two road games against the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants could be difficult, as long-traveled games usually are. But both respective teams have endured their fair share of struggles and underachievement this season. Again, another advantage that plays into San Francisco's favor.
The real test will come during the 49ers' final five games of the regular season.
We can all but guarantee San Francisco will knock off the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. It is essentially a home game at O.co Coliseum given the travel involved. But the remaining four games will prove to be much more difficult.
The San Diego Chargers have solidified themselves as a topnotch franchise in the AFC this year. Quarterback Philip Rivers is arguably having one of the best seasons of his career, including 17 passing touchdowns against three interceptions.
San Diego's defense also ranks No. 10 in the NFL in fewest total yards allowed (2,215).
Then there will be San Francisco's chance to avenge its Week 3 loss as it hosts the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. Given the nature of the NFC West, there could be plenty on the line for both teams in this critical contest.
Then, of course, there are the two remaining (home and away) games versus the Seattle Seahawks.
True, Seattle has endured its own share of problems this season. But it is hard to predict anything else but a tough physical matchup against this heated rival.
Yet the 49ers have an edge in the final six games of the season—travel.
This aspect is described further by Eric Branch of SFGate.com:
"Another scheduling perk: The 49ers will travel less than 2,000 miles to play their final six games, when they will have suspended outside linebacker Aldon Smith back. Nose tackle Glenn Dorsey (biceps) could return as early as Nov. 9, while inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (knee) will return at some point before the end of the regular season.
"
"Checking the schedule: #49ers slate lightens after rugged opening. http://t.co/CluXorSVJ4
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 20, 2014"
Branch also hints at some other key issues. San Francisco will be getting some much-needed reinforcements soon.
We'll get to that in a bit, but let's re-emphasize that the 49ers cannot simply reside in the thought that the tough portion of the schedule is over.
Yes, there are some easy spots, but there remain a number of critical games that could decide San Francisco's fate this season.
Solidify the Secondary
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San Francisco's defensive backfield is another one of those critical areas that will require some tweaking during the bye week.
Chief among the issues will be figuring out just how to formulate this unit that has already suffered plenty from the injury bug.
No. 1 cornerback Tramaine Brock was lost early in the season to a toe injury. He made his return in Week 7 but was on the wrong side of history as he gave up Peyton Manning's record-breaking touchdown to Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
But Brock might have been active for the game simply because the 49ers had no other options.
"#49ers CB @T26Brock active for 1st time since suffering Week 1 injury. VIEW inactives: http://t.co/DO2O1Dbokj pic.twitter.com/f7j4vgzBr8
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 19, 2014"
Prior to Week 7, we should have assumed that Brock would return following the bye week—a bonus that would have given him an added two weeks for his toe to heal. But a hamstring injury to fellow corner Chris Culliver during the week's practice forced the issue.
Brock was active. Culliver was not.
Further hampering San Francisco's secondary was the loss of Jimmie Ward in Week 6 (quadricep). Ward was also inactive for Week 7. Then the team lost backup corner Chris Cook later in the game, leaving just three cornerbacks active on San Francisco's roster, per Christian Gin of Examiner.com.
"Perrish Cox, Tramaine Brock and Dontae Johnson are the only three healthy CBs left. Cox should be in slot. #49ers
— Christian Gin (@Christian_Gin) October 20, 2014"
The two weeks of rest should provide ample time for the majority of the defensive backs to get back to full strength. But how will this unit look once Week 9 rolls around?
Let's go ahead and assume that Brock regains his role as San Francisco's No. 1 cornerback, putting the embarrassing performance against Denver behind him.
The real battle should be between Culliver and Perrish Cox for the No. 2 job. Culliver has struggled in coverage over the course of the season and might be best-suited for a safety job at some point in his future.
On the other hand, Cox has been a pleasant surprise for the 49ers secondary. He entered the week tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions on the year and has showcased an ability to match up well against opposing receivers.
"Good news: #49ers will have their best CB tandem this season. Perrish Cox leading NFL in INTs, Tramaine Brock led the team last year with 5.
— Dylan DeSimone (@DeSimone_80) October 19, 2014"
Cox also has the versatility to cover the nickelback position if needed. Ward might be the best option there for now, but at least San Francisco's defense has some flexibility.
Perhaps we'll see corners like Culliver, Cook and Dontae Johnson featured in dime coverage or in reserve roles.
But the secondary will only perform as well as its defensive line allows it to—another area the 49ers need to shore up quickly.
Figure out the Pass Rush
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Prior to Week 6 against St. Louis, the 49ers had amassed a mere five sacks on the young season.
Much of this was the result of having lost linebacker Aldon Smith to a nine-game suspension at the beginning of the year. His immediate replacement, second-year pro Corey Lemonier, came nowhere close to mustering the same sort of production.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio experimented with various blitz packages in Week 3 against Arizona but to little avail. Instead, the primary stopgap solution was to plug in rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch into Lemonier's stead on pass-rushing downs.
Lynch has performed admirably in this role. Through seven weeks, the rookie has seen his roll increase over the course of his young career.
Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee broke down the snaps following Sunday's loss:
"One of the rare defensive highlights for the 49ers was Aaron Lynch’s first NFL sack. The rookie outside linebacker also had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit, and he played a higher percentage of the team’s plays than he had all season. Here’s a week-by-week look at Lynch’s growing playing time.
▪ Week 1 vs. Dallas: 29 percent (20 snaps)
▪ Week 2 vs. Bears: 29 percent (17 snaps)
▪ Week 3 vs. Cardinals: 18 percent (12 snaps)
▪ Week 4 vs. Eagles: 42 percent (25 snaps)
▪ Week 5 vs. Chiefs: 50 percent (25 snaps)
▪ Week 6 vs. Rams: 64 percent (47 snaps)
▪ Week 7 vs. Broncos: 73 percent (44 snaps)
"
Even with Lynch's prowess, the 49ers are struggling mightily to generate the same sort of pass rush they enjoyed in seasons prior. At no point was this made clearer than by watching Peyton Manning dissect a weakened San Francisco defense with little to no pressure upon him.
Aldon Smith will return and perhaps sooner than expected—a possibility suggested by Mike Florio of NBC's Pro Football Talk (h/t Eric Branch of SFGate.com).
"Report: Aldon Smith's suspension could be reduced. http://t.co/u20HisnG5Y #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 20, 2014"
The 49ers obviously are missing Smith on defense. Combining him with Lynch gives San Francisco some much-needed pass-rushing prowess.
But it's not the entirety of the solution.
Defensive end Justin Smith is enjoying another fine season in spite of his advanced age. The 35-year-old has logged 15 tackles, seven assists and three sacks thus far into the season. But he has also played on a tremendous number of snaps.
Entering the season, one might have thought that second-year pro Tank Carradine would have emerged as a vital backup at defensive end. But Carradine has been active in all but one of the 49ers' seven games on the year.
"#49ers have just four active CBs and two active RBs and couldn't get Tank Carradine in somehow to be a situational rusher vs. Peyton Manning
— Dylan DeSimone (@DeSimone_80) October 19, 2014"
His on-the-field development is likely the cause for inaction, but given his pass-rushing abilities at Florida State, one would think that he would provide a much-needed defensive injection. This will be especially important down the stretch when Smith needs to be rested and fresh.
What is known is this: San Francisco's pass rush has been downright disappointing this season. It has left a banged-up secondary vulnerable and allowed opposing quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Jay Cutler and Drew Stanton to pick apart the 49ers defense.
You have two weeks to figure it out, boys.
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Determine the Identity of the Offense
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Exactly what should we make of the 49ers offense?
Is it a run-first team that relies upon the prowess of its vaunted rushing attack? Or is it a team that can spread it out via the passing game?
There really isn't a clear answer to this right now.
Let's take a surface-first approach.
San Francisco entered the season hoping to get one more ground-and-pound type of seasons out of 31-year-old running back Frank Gore. Gore's best two games came against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in Weeks 4 and 5 respectively.
Each of those games saw Gore crest over 100 yards on the ground. In each game, San Francisco utilized its rushing attack to solidify victories.
We know the story—an established running game wears down opponents' defenses, sets up play action and eats up the clock.
Yet this was not the case in Weeks 6 and 7. St. Louis sold out to stop the run during that matchup, holding Gore to just 38 yards on 16 carries. As a result, the 49ers took to the air to beat the Rams.
"The Rams were selling out against the run. Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde combined for 27 carries for 52 yards (1.9 ypc).
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) October 14, 2014"
It worked against St. Louis. It did not work against Denver.
The Broncos held Gore to just 20 yards on nine carries. San Francisco attempted to answer back with an aerial attack, but the results fell far short of what offensive coordinator Greg Roman would have hoped for.
So where do we go from here?
Gore and rookie Carlos Hyde need to be implemented in San Francisco's offense from the start. The entire plan of wearing out defenses via the running game will play huge dividends in the remaining schedule.
While it is nice to see quarterback Colin Kaepernick utilize his added bunch of wide receivers, the 49ers can ill afford to break away from an offensive scheme that has worked so well in previous years.
This is the area in which Roman will need to do his homework. The proper combination of run and pass plays will be vital in coming weeks. Getting the most out of his offense and at the right times will solve many of the 49ers' offensive woes.
That includes San Francisco's efforts in the red zone.
But keeping Gore fresh will also be a primary concern for the 49ers. Here is where Hyde can begin earning his stripes after getting his pro career off to a hot start.
San Francisco can also hope for added reinforcements when second-year pro Marcus Lattimore joins the fray during the second half.
All said, the 49ers need to figure out just what type of offensive team they are. While being able to spread the offense out frequently is a nice bonus, it should not necessarily be the approach taken unless necessary.
San Francisco's game plan revolves around what works best.
Get Healthy
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In reality, it is hard to make a case that any other facet of the 49ers' struggles thus far could be anything but the result of a depleted and injured roster.
Injuries have hurt San Francisco in far too many ways this season. One can only speculate what the 49ers' record would look like had they been at full strength.
But they weren't, and we know the results.
At no point was this clearer than on Sunday night. The depleted 49ers had zero chance to stage an upset over the Broncos in Week 7 given the plethora of injuries suffered by the team.
"Manning: They had some injuries that, I think, put some pressure on their defense. And were able to take advantage of that. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 20, 2014"
This is the argument made by Marcus Thompson II of the San Jose Mercury News, who writes:
"The comeback wins preceding Sunday's blowout weren't a sign the 49ers had arrived. It was a blueprint for how they survive this season. Scrap out every win they can against teams they can manhandle. But when it comes to the top-tier teams, the 49ers are going to struggle as long as backups are plugging holes in the lineups. Losing to the Broncos on the road is no season-killer. The blowout nature of the loss was largely a result of the 49ers' wealth of injuries and the short week after playing Monday night.
"
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area goes into further detail:
"We made it deep into this piece without mentioning the 49ers who were not available to play. It’s a group that includes Aldon Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Glenn Dorsey, Chris Culliver, Jimmie Ward and Mike Iupati. Obviously, the reliance on the team’s backups had an impact.
"
Think about those names for a moment. Each is a key cog in the San Francisco machine—many of which have been absent for a substantial duration of the season.
We've talked about Aldon Smith's return and what it means to the 49ers pass rush. Eventually, we will see the returns of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman—the trio combining to again assert itself as the best linebacking corps in the NFL.
Nose tackle Glenn Dorsey (biceps) may also return as early as November 9, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com.
We've also touched upon the reinforcements due in San Francisco's secondary as well as the eventual NFL debut of Marcus Lattimore in the offensive backfield.
But what about the offensive line?
The 49ers suffered a crushing blow when they lost center Daniel Kilgore to a season-ending leg injury on Sunday, per CSN Bay Area.
"BREAKING: #49ers' Daniel Kilgore set for season-ending surgery on Tuesday http://t.co/Q5SwYtH0tW #NFL #49ersTalk pic.twitter.com/3hQ58yXjeE
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) October 20, 2014"
With Kilgore sidelined for the year, the job will likely fall upon rookies Dillon Farrell or Marcus Martin. Martin is returning from a knee injury suffered during the preseason but should be ready to go after the bye.
"Marcus Martin played 90 snaps (all at center) in the preseason and had a +0.4 overall grade. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) October 20, 2014"
Backup O-lineman Joe Looney can also play all three interior positions.
Getting Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis back at full strength will also benefit this unit. San Francisco's patchwork O-line has been a liability this season, so the added week of rest will prove more than beneficial given all that has happened to the critical guys up front.
While injuries cannot be the sole reason why the 49ers have produced a 4-3 record entering the bye, they have obviously played a major factor.
Getting healthy will be of the utmost concern for San Francisco with the added time off.
A 4-3 record may not be as bad a situation as it looks. Yes, the 49ers missed some great chances over the first half of the season, and we could easily speculate that this team could have gone 6-1 entering Week 8.
But what-ifs have no place in the reality that parallels the NFL, and San Francisco will have to find ways to bounce back from the turbulent times the team has endured so far in 2014.
Fortunately, the 49ers have weathered a hefty storm during the first half of the season. Injuries, roster changes and miscues have all played their respective roles and may continue to do so.
Yet the fortunes for San Francisco's chances remain bright. This team will get stronger in the second half provided it does the needed work to obtain what it set out to do entering the year.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.
Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers' news, insight and analysis.
Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.
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