Passing AP test one thing 49ers must do to remain undefeated
For the fourth time in six games, the 49ers are on the road. It seemed like a brutal opening act when the schedule was unveiled in April, especially knowing their recent road history.
“I know we didn’t win a single road game last year, preseason or regular season, so those plane rides were not very fun,” tight end George Kittle recalled.
New year, new results.
As the undefeated 49ers (5-0) visit Washington (1-5), they are not spooked by an away game. Of course, it helped last Sunday to feel at home with some 40,000 of their own fans packing the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a 20-7 win over the Rams.
That marked road rout No. 3. They opened the season with a win in Tampa Bay, then, after a layover in northeastern Ohio, they won at Cincinnati in Week 2 before flying home.
“Getting on a plane and coming back with a victory makes it so much more fun,” Kittle added. “With the character of this team and the people in the locker room, it’s such a good group of people, and it makes winning sweeter.”
Here are five ways the 49ers again can fly home through the friendly skies:
1. SHOW UP, HUMBLY >> Confidence should be high among any undefeated team. There hasn’t been any signs of overconfidence this past week, however. No rolling of eyes or sly grins when Washington’s potential is broached. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh reminded his players to stay humble.
“For the most part, everyone in that room has seen the worst of the worst that this organization has had over the last couple of years,” Saleh said. “They have been told they’re not good. They have been told that they shouldn’t be here. They have been told that they should all be cut. We have all been told that we should be fired.
“So, don’t forget what it’s like to be on the other side of the fence and don’t think that just because you’re being patted on the back that you are going to continue to have success. We got to this point because we’ve been working our butts off through adversity, through all the trials and tribulations that go with losing.” 2. STOP THE RUN, DEFENSIVELY >> Bill Callahan won his debut as Washington’s interim coach Sunday at Miami by predictably committing to a run-heavy approach. The same strategy is expected today.
Adrian Peterson emerged from Jay Gruden’s cobwebs and rushed for 118 yards (23 carries) as Washington avoided staying winless, by beating winless Miami.
“Our No. 1 thing is to stop the run,” defensive tackle Deforest Buckner said. “(Callahan’s) whole thing is to establish the run, they did it last game it was effective. If you want to affect (quarterback) Case Keenum, you’ve got to stop the run first.”
The 49ers’ run defense ranks sixth in the NFL, and that reflects improved tackling from a year ago. Even though the 49ers allowed their first rushing touchdown of the season on the Rams’ opening drive last Sunday, a goal-line stand showed how stout their run defense can be.
3. KEEP ON RUNNING, OFFENSIVELY >> Matt Breida is averaging only 13 carries per game, and perhaps it’s time to ramp that up rather than split so much time with Tevin Coleman.
Breida is averaging 5.8 yards per carry this season, and while that’s obviously boosted by an 83yard touchdown run that stunned the Cleveland Browns, it’s not far off his 5.12 career average. In fact, the only 49ers with better rushing averages are Colin Kaepernick (6.13) and Steve Young (5.89), with a minimum 300 carries.
Of course, it’s fine if Breida and Coleman continue to share the workload as long as the 49ers keep moving the chains and owning time of possession. They own the league’s No. 2 rushing attack (198.8 ypg), and Washington ranks 28th in run defense (134 ypg). Also, Jeff Wilson Jr. might get his first carries since Week 3. Raheem Mostert (knee) hasn’t practiced since Sunday’s injury.
4. ENHANCE THEIR PASSING GAME >> Defenses will load up to stop the 49ers’ run from here on out. So, with a seemingly inferior opponent, perhaps the 49ers turn QB Jimmy Garoppolo loose to show their capabilities through the air.
His accuracy and decision making are drawing questions, but Garoppolo’s completion percentage of 69.9 is his best in a season as a starter. Rarely has he gone deep, and two such passes resulted in drops by Deebo Samuel (vs. Browns) and Marquise Goodwin (vs. Rams on a flea-flicker).
Kittle has caught at least six passes in all but the Bengals game. Dante Pettis made only three catches last game, but they were key to offensive drives, and the 49ers need him to ratchet up his production after just nine catches for 83 yards all season.
Of course, exposing Garoppolo to hits is not wise, so the 49ers must see if offensive tackles Justin Skule and Daniel Brunskill continue to be up to the challenge of filling in for Joe Staley and Mike Mcglinchey.
5. DODGE ANY DANGERS >> Better to be lucky than good? The 49ers have been both. Points off turnovers is a great way to showcase that.
Although the 49ers have committed 10 turnovers (five interceptions), opponents have only turned them into 13 points (touchdown, two field goals). On the flip side, the 49ers’ offense has scored 49 of 147 points off a dozen turnovers.
Another way the 49ers must avoid an upset is by not letting the NFL’S eversuspect officiating mar the outcome. Referee Clete Blakeman and his crew are working this game, after their controversial calls impacted the Detroit Lions’ loss at Green Bay on Monday night. The 49ers are 1-5-1 in games refereed by Blakeman since 2010.
Weather also could be the equalizer Washington needs. Light rain is in the forecast with temperatures in the mid-50s. Pettis would welcome it, having played at the University of Washington.
“I’m ready for it. I’m used to that. I’ve done it for four years,” he said. “We’ll wear the rain gloves, take the visors off. We’re not worried.”