6 Burning Questions Facing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14

Burning question No. 1: Can the San Francisco 49ers pressure Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel?

According to Pro Football Focus, Manziel is completing only 43.5 percent of his passes under pressure this season. But when he has time to throw, his passer rating jumps to 68.8.

Will he have time to throw on Sunday?

He may. The Niners probably won’t have outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, who leads the team in sacks with 6.5. Lynch suffered a concussion Week 13 and didn’t practice this Wednesday or Thursday, as relayed by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Can the Niners sack Manziel without Lynch?

These are the burning questions facing San Francisco Week 14.

Can Marcus Martin Block Danny Shelton?

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Last week, 49ers center Marcus Martin faced rookie second-round pick Eddie Goldman of the Chicago Bears. He gave up three sacks, one hit and one hurry, according to Pro Football Focus. The rookie dominated Martin.

This week, Martin will face another rookie—Danny Shelton, whom the Browns drafted with the 12th pick this year. He’s no pass-rusher (zero sacks), but he’s solid against the run and strong. He put up 34 reps on the bench at the NFL combine, according to NFL Draft Scout. Martin put up only 23 reps in 2014.

Does Martin stand a chance against Shelton, or will Cleveland’s nose tackle push Martin into Blaine Gabbert’s lap?

Can Gerald Hodges Cover Gary Barnidge?

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Tight end Gary Barnidge is the Browns’ go-to guy on offense. He leads the team in receptions and touchdown catches.

Ordinarily, 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite would cover Barnidge, but Wilhoite suffered a high-ankle sprain Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter. He probably won’t play against the Browns.

His replacement, Gerald Hodges, is not a coverage specialist. His former team, the Minnesota Vikings, took him off the field on passing downs this season before trading him to the Niners Week 5.

In 2014, Hodges played on passing downs and allowed a completion percentage of 80.0, according to Pro Football Focus.

Can Hodges cover Barnidge man-to-man, or will the Niners have to cover the Browns tight end with a safety or a corner?

Can NaVorro Bowman Cover Duke Johnson?

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This is NaVorro Bowman’s first season back from tearing his ACL and MCL, and the former All-Pro inside linebacker is on pace to set a career high in tackles and potentially go to the Pro Bowl. Remarkable.

As well as Bowman has played, he has struggled in pass coverage. He has allowed a completion percentage of 92.2 this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Bowman typically covers the opposing team’s running back. Sunday, he will cover rookie Duke Johnson, who has made 48 catches. Only four running backs in the NFL have made more catches than Johnson this season.

Can Bowman cover Johnson man-to-man, or will the Niners have to cover the Browns running back with a safety or a corner?

Will the Browns Force Blaine Gabbert to Throw Downfield?

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On Wednesday morning, Gabbert broke down the Browns to Bay Area reporters.

“They attack the box,” Gabbert said, per the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. “They try and stop the run with seven, eight, nine guys. So, the ball’s going to be in my hand a lot and our guys are going to have to go out there and make plays and I’m going to have to deliver the ball.”

With all of those defenders milling around the line of scrimmage, Gabbert may have to throw downfield. That’s not his strength. His quarterback rating is merely 83.9 on throws that travel 10 or more yards past the line of scrimmage, while his rating on shorter throws is 97.7, per Pro Football Focus.

Will the Browns force Gabbert out of his comfort zone?

Will Anquan Boldin Exploit Slot Cornerback K’Waun Williams?

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Browns slot cornerback K’Waun Williams is a little guy. He’s 5’9” and only 183 pounds.

When he’s on the field this Sunday, the former 2014 undrafted free agent primarily will cover Anquan Boldin, who is 6’1” and 220 pounds. He’s practically a tight end, he’s so big.

He has made a Hall of Fame career out of bullying little, inexperienced corners like Williams, who is 37 pounds lighter than Boldin. Even if Boldin is covered this Sunday, he can box out Williams and catch the ball like a power forward grabbing a rebound over a point guard.

Will the 49ers exploit this matchup like they should?

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