San Francisco 49ers: 5 Problems to Address Before Playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers at their own game. The Ravens played ball control offense and used a stout defense to pester Alex Smith all night. 

It was a Thanksgiving matchup that pitted two brothers against one another and the similarities between the two teams became strikingly clear as the game progressed. 

This matchup did not disappoint, as both teams played with the vigor and physicality expected from squads coached by the Harbaugh brothers. 

The 16-6 final score indicated the Baltimore Ravens completely dominated this game, but that is not the case. At the conclusion of the first half, the Baltimore Ravens were only up 6-3, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently. 

Despite the loss, the San Francisco 49ers are still well on their way to an inevitable divisional title. The playoffs are around the corner, and with this loss, the 49ers must address several issues that may show up down the line. 

Third Down Efficiency

The San Francisco 49ers continue to struggle on third downs. Alex Smith and the 49ers offense converted third down at a 16 percent clip in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens. 

On the season, the 49ers have only completed third down conversions at a 30 percent clip. 

The 49ers have been able to mitigate this issue with a strong defense and special teams. The offense will become stagnant in the playoffs if the 49ers struggle with third down conversions. 

Improving this statistic should be a priority for Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers coaching staff. 

Protection Issues

The San Francisco 49ers offense line gave up nine sacks against that stout Ravens defense. Alex Smith was terrorized in the pocket and as a result, the offense suffered mightily.  

The strength of the 49ers offense lies in Frank Gore and the running game, but the Baltimore Ravens completely controlled the trenches in this matchup. 

Teams will continue to stack the line and attempt to take Frank Gore away from the game plan. The 49ers must consistently take advantage of this game plan and it starts up front with the offensive line.

If the offensive line continues to struggle in pass protection, the 49ers offense will become stagnant (similar to what we saw last night). 

Vertical Passing Game

As I stated before, the strength of the 49ers offense lies in the running game, but establishing a vertical game will support the former. 

Alex Smith hooked up with Ted Ginn on a 75-yard pass play against the Baltimore Ravens that ended up coming back due to a penalty. 

The 49ers have the personnel in the receiving game to go vertical, but Jim Harbaugh has stayed away from such risks.

If the San Francisco 49ers add the vertical element to their game plan, the offense will become less predictable. 

Penalties

For the most part, the San Francisco 49ers have done well in the penalty department this season with the exception of a few games. The game against the Baltimore Ravens was one of those games. 

The 49ers struggled on third downs partly because of pass protection issues but also due to penalties. Penalties place the 49ers in uncomfortable 3rd-and-long situations, which take away the strength of that 49ers offense—the running game. 

If the 49ers have a penalty-stricken game in the playoffs, their chance for success will decrease significantly. 

Running Backs Receiving

The running game has been a smashing success this season, but what baffles me is the lack of involvement with the halfbacks in the passing game. 

Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter are excellent options in the passing game. The 49ers could have loosened up that Baltimore Ravens pass rush with a few screens or dump-offs.

Hunter is excellent in space, but he finished the game against the Baltimore Ravens with only one catch. 

The 49ers can combat opposing teams' aggressive pass rushing with the utilization of the running backs in the passing game.