The 49ers need a bounce-back performance in the worst way. Their abysmal 11-10 loss to the Broncos in Denver pushed them to 1-2 heading into a matchup with their division rival Los Angeles Rams.
While a terrible Sunday night showing can’t be construed as ‘good,’ it can be viewed through the lens of some early-season hiccups that can be improved. We went back through last week’s game to find the problems San Francisco most needs to fix to sneak out of Week 4 with a much needed victory.
Third down conversions
There’s not a big secret or assessment here. The 49ers were 1-for-10 on third downs in Denver. Their first conversion came late in the fourth quarter. It’s hard to win without extending drives on third downs. They can help this by having more first and second-down success that doesn’t put them in third-and-long.
Stay aggressive
The 49ers were diverse with their first-down play calls in the first half against Denver. On 15 first downs, they had eight runs and seven passes. In the second half they leaned heavily on first-down runs while they had the lead. That lack of first-down diversity were part of the issue in their second-half struggles against the Broncos. If they get out to a lead against the Rams, they cannot start falling back into regular first-down runs. They need to maintain a more diverse look.
Field awareness
Not stepping out of bounds in the end zone will be key this week for every offensive player. #Analysis
Intermediate throws
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has always thrived on throws in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He was not very good on those throws 10-plus yards downfield in Denver. On throws 10-19 yards down the field, he was two-of-eight for 38 yards and an interception. Last year he completed 64.8 percent of his intermediate tosses at 12.3 yards per attempt with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. If San Francisco’s offense is going to start humming, it has to involve Garoppolo looking more like he did last year on those throws.
Mix it up at RB
Jeff Wilson Jr. was good last week with 75 yards on 12 carries. It’s clear the 49ers need a little bit of a changeup in the run game though. They’ve had some success under Shanahan with a by-committee approach to the backfield. Undrafted rookie Jordan Mason had a good run on one touch last week. Marlon Mack hasn’t had a touch yet and Tevin Coleman could be called up off the practice squad. Deebo Samuel wasn’t enough of a change in the run game against Denver, and the 49ers need to use different run-game wrinkles against the Rams.
Pass blocking on the right
The 49ers pass blocking will be under a microscope with Aaron Donald in town and Colton McKivitz filling in at left tackle. However, it’s the right side of the line that needs to be better in Week 4 than they were in Denver. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey and right guard Spencer Burford were responsible for six of the 12 pressures the 49ers allowed against the Broncos. If Garoppolo is going to have a better game it’s going to start with better pass blocking on that side of the offensive front.
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