6 Bold Predictions for San Francisco 49ers' Week 4 Matchup

I predict the San Francisco 49ers will win the time of possession Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers.

The Niners probably are going to come out running the ball, because their quarterback—Colin Kaepernick—threw four interceptions last week and the Packers’ run defense is allowing five yards per carry—worst in the NFL.

The Niners should move the ball consistently with a read-option running attack, while the Packers should move the ball consistently through the air.

San Francisco’s offense will have the ball 10 minutes longer than the Packers’ offense.

That’s one bold prediction. Here are five more.

RB Reggie Bush Will Lead the Team in Catches

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Tight end Vernon Davis didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, per the team's injury report—he has an injured knee. Let’s assume he won’t play this Sunday.

That means the Packers’ defense can double cover Anquan Boldin AND Torrey Smith on passing downs. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick shouldn’t force passes into double coverage—especially one week after throwing four interceptions. So, he needs to find another receiver.

Running back Reggie Bush could be an option. Bush missed the past two games with a calf injury, but he should play against the Packers.

Green Bay probably will spy Kaepernick with an inside linebacker on third downs, leaving Bush space to get open in the flat. Look for him to catch five passes for 50 yards.

RB Carlos Hyde Will Have His 2nd 100-Yard Rushing Game in the NFL

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Carlos Hyde is at his best when running outside the tackles, which is tough to do against a 3-4 defense like the one the Packers use. Offensive coordinator Geep Chryst explained why Thursday afternoon.

“You hear this phrase ‘setting the edge,’ ‘we’re going to set the edge,’” Chryst said. “And once you do that, if I establish that bookend edge right here, now you’re forcing the cutback.”

In other words, Hyde never makes it to the edge against a 3-4 defense.

Hyde might run outside the tackles once or twice against Green Bay, but for the most part he’ll run between the tackles on zone-read plays. And he’ll average five yards per carry against the Packers’ weak run defense.

QB Colin Kaepernick Will Have His 4th 100-Yard Rushing Game in the NFL

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For Carlos Hyde to be successful running up the middle on zone-read plays, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has to keep the ball once in a while and run himself. Zone-read plays aren’t particularly effective if the defense knows the running back is getting the ball.

I expect the Niners offense to run the zone read more than any other play Sunday afternoon, and I expect Kaepernick to keep the ball at least seven times.

The Niners need to cultivate confidence in Kaepernick after his four-interception performance last week, and Kaepernick always seems confident when the opposing defense can’t stop him from running.

Expect Kaepernick to gain more than 100 yards on the ground against the Packers.

QB Colin Kaepernick Will Throw Another Pick-Six

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Here’s everything you need to know about Colin Kaepernick this season:

According to Pro Football Focus, when Kaepernick throws over the middle—i.e., between the painted numbers on the field—he is completing 77.4 percent of his passes, averaging 9.6 yards per attempt and posting a passer rating of 117.4. Great numbers.

But, when he throws outside the numbers, he’s completing 64.8 percent of his passes, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt and posting a pathetic passer rating of 52.2.

Every team knows this. Every defensive coordinator probably will try to take away the middle of the field and force Kaepernick to throw outside the numbers until he improves at making those passes.

He probably won’t improve overnight. The Packers will bait him into another bad throw across the field, intercept the pass and return it for a touchdown.

The Packers Will Not Punt

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The Niners defense currently struggles with man-to-man pass coverage, zone coverage and rushing the quarterback.

So, whether the Niners blitz or don’t blitz, or play Cover 3, Cover 4 or man-free, it really won’t matter. The Niners defense doesn’t do any of those things well. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have plenty of time to throw and plenty of open receivers to throw to.

I predict Green Bay will not punt against the Niners. The Niners will have to limit the Packers to field goals once Green Bay reaches the red zone.

Good luck with that. The Packers’ red-zone offense is scoring touchdowns 69.3 percent of the time.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow @grantcohn.