49ers' lauded lines need help after NFC title game
49ers pride themselves on physicality, were out-muscled by Rams, Eagles
SANTA CLARA >> It certainly didn't help the 49ers that injuries at quarterback ended Super Bowl dreams in each of the last two seasons.
First, there was Jimmy Garoppolo with a throwing shoulder that needed surgery and a sprained right thumb in a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC Championship. That was followed by Sunday's Brock Purdyjosh Johnson disaster with Garoppolo and Trey Lance sidelined and Purdy unable to throw with a torn UCL in his elbow.
The 49ers almost survived the Rams game, losing a 10-point lead in the second half. A 31-7 loss to the Eagles was a foregone conclusion as soon as Purdy was hurt.
The way the losses went down, the 49ers have more work to do this offseason than simply hoping for better luck regarding quarterback injuries.
Any chance of winning either game rested with a quality the 49ers pride themselves on but went missing in action when they needed it most.
The 49ers were the tougher, more physical team in both regular-season wins over the Rams a year ago, but not in the title game. They beat teams physically to such an extent this season that every opponent lost the following week. But let's face facts: Even with the quarterback issues, the 49ers got manhandled on both sides of the line of scrimmage against Philadelphia.
If the 49ers hope to take that extra step in 2023 and exert their will when the stakes are the highest, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa are going to need some help. There may not be a team with a stable of playmakers to match Christian Mccaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Charvarius Ward, but without the requisite physicality at the point of attack, it's all window-dressing with an unsatisfying conclusion.
Shanahan is fond of using carries as an indicator when it comes to meting out punishment. The more the better, because it means third downs are being converted and the clock is in his favor.