San Francisco 49ers: The Offensive Line Is the True Key to Their Playoff Push
The San Francisco 49ers have won their last two games on the strength of some outstanding defensive play. The 49ers currently stand with a record of 6-4 and must continue to win, if they hope to reach the playoffs.
Vic Fangio, the 49ers' defensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job of plugging holes caused by injuries and the nine-game suspension of Aldon Smith to start the year.
TOP NEWS
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Colts Release Kenny Moore
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
In addition to Smith missing the first nine games, several other key players have missed significant time on the defensive side of the ball. The list includes NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Dan Skuta, Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward.
A lesser defense that is not as well-coached would have undoubtedly crumbled. However, that is not the case with the 49ers. The defense is playing at a very high level and had arguably its best game of the season this past week against the New York Giants.
Part of the credit must also go to GM Trent Baalke. In the past couple of years, Baalke has selected several defensive players in the draft who have stepped in and contributed immensely.
Second-year defensive tackle Quinton Dial has helped ease the burden of the Dorsey and Williams injuries. Linebackers Chris Borland and Aaron Lynch have played exceptionally well. Cornerback Dontae Johnson has helped fill the void in the defensive secondary, created with the injuries to Brock and Ward.
Defensively, the 49ers are on sound footing. It is the offense that has sputtered and at times looked downright inept.
The 49ers are tied as the fourth-worst team in terms of sacks allowed with 32. With a mobile quarterback such as Colin Kaepernick, that should not happen.
The 49ers offense has also been horrendous in the red zone. As calculated by TeamRankings.com, only the Buffalo Bills have a lower touchdown rate, when getting into the red zone. The number of times the 49ers have scored a touchdown when reaching the red zone is below 40 percent.
The Niners' most recent game against the Giants serves as a microcosm of the offensive futility plaguing this team. The San Francisco defense generated five turnovers, all interceptions against Eli Manning and the Giants.
The Giants were ranked 31st out of 32 teams in yards allowed, and even with all of the turnovers, the 49ers could only muster 16 points. Only a tremendous goal-line stand by the defense salvaged a 16-10 win.
Kaepernick has had problems progressing through his reads quickly and finding open receivers. Even when his receivers are open, Kaepernick has sometimes missed them, with inaccurate throws.
Play-calling by 49ers' offensive coordinator Greg Roman has also been questionable. The offense has not established an identity and has been very inconsistent.
In their past two games, however, the 49ers have reverted back to what they do best, which is a greater focus on running the ball. The 49ers rushed for 148 yards against the Giants and a week earlier against the Saints, rushed for 144 yards.
Overall, the 49ers rank seventh in the NFL in rushing yards per game, with 124.8. This average has increased in the past two weeks and not surprisingly, the 49ers have won both of their games.
With Kaepernick not developing the consistency as quickly as hoped, what the 49ers offense does best is to function as a tough, hard-nosed running team. A renewed focus on the ground attack helps the offensive line immensely.
The San Francisco offensive line has had problems in pass protection, as confirmed by the number of sacks allowed. On many other plays, Kaepernick is forced to scramble or throw before he wants to, in order to avoid the pressure.
The 49ers line is best described as a big, bruising unit, and sometimes it can be beaten by powerful, fast pass-rushers or with defensive stunts.
Joe Staley generally does a solid job in both run blocking and pass protection, but three of the other starters, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone and Mike Iupati are far better run-blockers.
Marcus Martin, a third-round pick out of USC has taken over for the injured Daniel Kilgore at center. Although Martin has been adequate, there are always some growing pains whenever a new center takes over in the middle of the season.
In order for the 49ers to have any chance of making the playoffs and advancing, strong offensive line play is the key. The pass protection absolutely must improve and allow Kaepernick the time to be comfortable and find his receivers. When comfortable, his accuracy should also improve.
In addition, if the offensive line can continue to open running lanes for Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde, it will give the 49ers offense good balance and keep the opposing offense off the field.
When the 49ers offense can control the ball and dominate the time of possession, it also benefits the defense. They get more time to rest and do not need to play as many snaps.
The 49ers defense has played exceptionally well, but this team will only go as far as its offensive line can take them. The key to that success is the offensive line.
Team stats courtesy of NFL.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
