Keys to prime-time success against winless Philadelphia
SANTA CLARA — Suddenly, it seems presumptions to say the 49ers are starting a three-game homestand.
This is a one-game-at-atime season more than ever.
Coach Kyle Shanahan and everyone in the NFL were reminded of that when the Tennessee Titans, because of a COVID19 outbreak, had their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers postponed.
“If you let that get out of hand, that would be very tough for our league finishing the season,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers (2-1) cannot look past their Sunday night affair with the Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1). If all goes well on the coronavirus front, then the 49ers can get to their next home date against the Miami Dolphins, followed by a visit from the Los Angeles Rams, and so on and so on, with fingers crossed and hands/masks washed.
Urgency exists to win now, and do so without a crowd watching at Levi’s Stadium, where the 49ers were upset in their season opener by the Arizona Cardinals.
Carson Wentz’s best bet at emerging from his funk is to aim for the Eagles’ best (only?) target, tight end Zach Ertz, a Monte Vista High-Danville and Stanford product.
The 49ers likely won’t designate one defender to shadow Ertz. They can deploy any of their rangy linebackers, especially captain Fred Warner, whose athleticism and coverage skills are ideal for today’s NFL, as opposed to the hellacious-hitting linebackers of more violent times.
“Our system was built around the fact the evolution of tight ends and running backs took place before the evolution of linebacker, so they were outpacing (linebackers,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “... People look at (49ers linebackers) and say they’re kind of small, they pack a punch, run like gazelles, and are incredibly intelligent. That’s today’s linebacker.”
Warner’s interception last Sunday while covering Giants tight end Evan Engram reflected his smarts, instincts and athleticism.
That’s not to say Warner can’t hit. He does. Just ask the New York Jets, who saw Warner blow up a
fourth-and-1 run two weeks ago.
Ertz deserves to cash in on the market that George Kittle reset. More Eagles losses would make Ertz a prime trade candidate, but probably out of the 49ers’ price range (or beyond their need if Kittle is healthy, along with Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley).
Kittle likely will return to the lineup after injuring his knee two weeks ago, and the 49ers also could unveil wide receiver Deebo Samuel for his season debut.
Yes, the 49ers need those weapons, even after scoring over 30 points in routs of the New Yorkers.
Kittle provides so much in terms of on-field production, blocking and overall excitement. He’s missed just three games his entire career, including back-to-back games last year because of a Cardinals player’s hit to his left knee, just like three weeks ago.
Tight end Jordan Reed is out up to two months with his own knee injury, so Kittle’s return would be especially timely.
The 49ers delayed Samuel’s debut by putting him on short-term injured reserve, and his surgically repaired left foot appears to have responded well enough in practice that a strong season awaits after a banner rookie year.
Samuel’s arrival could launch a long-term receiver tandem with Brandon Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick who had a breakout performance last Sunday. Judging from practice, the 49ers’ receiving corps looks in a much better mood and in better shape, complemented by Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Mohamed Sanu and Dante Pettis.