The Rams in Week 2 against the 49ers had a plan. They weren’t going to allow San Francisco’s pass rush to get to their quarterback, and they were going to take advantage of the space given to them by the 49ers’ soft coverage. It resulted in 17 first-half points for Los Angeles – more than the 49ers have allowed in any game this season.
A second-half adjustment by defensive coordinator Steve Wilks put a stop to that game plan by LA. The 49ers started blitzing heavily and pressing up on Rams pass catchers. Those changes resulted in just six second-half points for the Rams. Those changes might also be how Wilks and his defense approach a Cowboys club that’s lived on short throws this season.
Buy 49ers TicketsCowboys quarterback Dak Prescott heading into Week 5 is tied with Giants QB Daniel Jones and Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young for the lowest average depth of target (ADOT) in the league at 6.2 yards.
Nearly 71 percent of Prescott’s throws this season have been either behind the line of scrimmage or within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. Dallas is living in that area while they’ve dealt with injuries on the offensive line and tried to avoid turnovers from their QB.
It stands to reason they’ll have a similar game plan against the 49ers, especially after Prescott struggled in last year’s divisional playoff game at Levi’s Stadium.
Still, Wilks and the 49ers are aware of Prescott’s ability to throw it accurately down the field, and they’re ready to adjust accordingly.
“I think it’s always the flow of the game,” Wilks said. “Everything equates with that, personnel, down and distance, where we’re on the field, those kind of things. So that goes into calling the game and trying to get the guys in the best position to be successful. So, coming into a game and knowing that they’re getting the ball out quick, it’s different things that we have to do. But don’t take it slight down, they will push the ball down the field as well. So we have to make sure that our eyes are in the right spot, we’re working on our technique so we don’t give them an explosive play.”
Perhaps the 49ers are more concerned with limiting big plays, something they’ve done better than any team in the NFL through four games, and they let Prescott have his easy underneath throws before adjusting as needed. They’d rather do that than get burned by a deep throw. Prescott is 6-of-11 with one touchdown on throws of 20-plus yards this season.
Both of these teams are extremely talented and figure to be in the hunt for a Super Bowl come January. How and when the 49ers adjust to Dallas’ offense could ultimately decide not only Sunday night’s game, but who visits who if these teams match up again in the postseason.
