San Francisco 49ers:5 Burning Questions Entering Week 3

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No. 5: Can the 49ers Generate a Pass Rush?

Yes, Cam Newton is elusive. Yes, the Niners did get a sack on him. But the 49ers did not get enough of a consistent pass rush on Newton to keep him from picking apart the secondary to the tune of 353 yards and four touchdowns.

The collection of Eli Harold, Tank Carradine, Ahmad Brooks, Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial failed to generate a sack or heavy pressure on Newton all game long. In fact, the lone sack of Newton came on pressure by linebacker Gerald Hodges that forced a Newton fumble.

But the defense could not get push up front when they needed it most. And they paid for it.

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Now, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil may be able to dial up blitz packages. But you typically do not want to live and die getting pressure from blitzing all the time.

Perhaps it is time for the Niners to bring linebacker Marcus Rush off the practice squad and see what he can do in real-game situations. Or maybe find more snaps for rookie defensive lineman Ronald Blair.

Both players have shown an ability to be disruptive in limited action. In Rush’s case, he showed very good potential, but only in the preseason.

With outside linebacker Aaron Lynch suspended until Week 5 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the 49ers will need someone to step up. They simply cannot have the secondary covering in space for that long.

With the likes of QBs Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer and Tom Brady on the schedule, to name a few, the coaching staff will have their hands full figuring out a way to slow down those passing games.

If the front seven continues to struggle on passing downs, the secondary will not be able to make as many plays on the ball.

This week in particular, they need to contain Wilson by collapsing the edges and forcing him to make plays in the pocket. And although Wilson has shown the ability and elusiveness to buy himself some time, no quarterback likes to be hit or have his throwing pocket collapsed on.

Keeping him from beating them with his legs will be a key factor in their chances of securing a win.

Hopefully we will see Carradine, Blair, Brooks, Armstead and others spend quite a bit of time in the Seahawks backfield this Sunday.

Next: 4. Can the Running Game Find Consistency?

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Burning Questions Entering Week 3

By Robert Smith | Sep 23, 2016

No. 5: Can the 49ers Generate a Pass Rush?