Frank Gore Will Return to Elite Fantasy Status Following 49ers' Bye Week

Despite building their reputation as a power-running team, the San Francisco 49ers have been unable to get Frank Gore running with any consistency this season. Fantasy owners in a full state of panic should know that things are going to get better following the team's bye in Week 8.

Even though there's a thought that a decline sets in once a running back hits the age of 30, Gore hasn't seen a drop in production when he has touched the ball. He has 423 yards on 102 carries for a healthy 4.1 yards-per-carry average with two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). 

There have been two big problems for the 49ers through their first seven games. Their offensive line has been banged up and struggling, and they are throwing the ball more to compensate for some of the losses on defense. 

Last year, for instance, the 49ers' 417 pass attempts were the fewest in the NFL. This year, they are 17th with 232 attempts. Some of that has been necessitated by game situations; for instance, their blowout loss against the Denver Broncos required a lot more passing attempts to try and keep up. 

However, offensive coordinator Greg Roman has also changed his philosophy. Take the September 21 game against the Arizona Cardinals—a 23-14 loss—as an example. According to Mindi Bach of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the 49ers had at least three wide receivers on the field for 11 plays during a single drive:

Contrast that with last year, as Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News recalled when the 49ers may have used four wide receivers sets twice all year:

In other words, since Colin Kaepernick has more weapons to play with this year than at any point last year, the 49ers are trying to take advantage of it. Sometimes it has worked with great results. He's completing 63.8 percent of his passes, up more than five percentage points from 2013. 

Looking at San Francisco's most successful games this year, virtually all of them have been when Gore was carrying the ball and the offensive line was effective at run blocking. Following the loss against Arizona, he was reportedly unhappy about his role with the team:

Gore clarified his statements to Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area by saying that the frustration was a result of the loss and not his role in the offense. He would've had reason to be with just six carries in the game. 

The next two weeks, Gore carried the ball a total of 42 times for 226 yards. That's not an accident. As explosive and dynamic as Kaepernick can be, this team is still at its best when running the ball. 

Now, with two weeks off to get rested and heal, the ailing 49ers should have no problem getting back to what they have done so well since Jim Harbaugh took over. They will have to replace center Daniel Kilgore, who was injured against Denver and placed on injured reserve. But they should have the rest of the line they planned to have when the season began (Alex Boone, Joe Staley, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis) on the field. 

LM Otero/Associated Press

Carlos Hyde's presence also complicates matters, especially since he has more rushing touchdowns (two) than Gore. It's clear through the rookie's performance that he's still learning this system and waiting for blocks to develop instead of trying to barrel everyone over. He will get better, but Gore is still the alpha of the duo. 

Another reason for optimism with Gore is the schedule San Francisco has coming out of the bye. The 49ers have a four-game stretch against the St. Louis Rams (28th in run defense), New Orleans Saints (11th), New York Giants (21st) and Washington Redskins (12th). 

Even though New Orleans and Washington are in the top half of the league in run defense, neither has what anyone would consider a top-tier group. The Rams did shut Gore down in their first matchup (38 yards on 16 carries), but he has traditionally had success against them with 1,229 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career. 

After that stretch, the 49ers have a game with the Seattle Seahawks before the coup de grace against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. Just like the team figures to get stronger later this season when NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith return, Gore will get stronger because the matchups line up for him to be a focal point in the offense. 

Despite some stretches when the 49ers needed Kaepernick to make plays in the passing game, Gore is still the heart and soul of this franchise. He's been at his best in games when it appeared things were going to spiral out of control. That will happen with more consistency after the bye. 

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