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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Burning Questions Entering Week 3

By Robert Smith

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to hike the ball in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to hike the ball in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 4: Can the Running Game Find Consistency?

Carlos Hyde, by all accounts, had a solid game against the Los Angeles Rams. Carrying the ball 23 times for 88 yards, he was productive enough to help get a win. Yet something seemed to be missing.

Then, against the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers, Hyde was completely shut down, totaling just 34 yards on 14 carries.

“I have to get better. I have to do better. I have to not put the ball on the ground. I’ll get better. I have to.” – Carlos Hyde

Perhaps it is because of the expectations coming into this season with him running in the same zone-blocking scheme that he ran in college.

Or perhaps it is because of the additions to the offensive line, bringing in Joshua Garnett in the first round of the 2016 Draft, and signing Zane Beadles at the guard position.

Either way, the results have been less than stellar so far. For a team hoping to utilize the run game, averaging 2.8 yards per carry in the two games will not get it done.

Hyde knows as much, telling the Sacramento Bee, “I have to get better. I have to do better. I have to not put the ball on the ground. I’ll get better. I have to.”

All told, The Niners gained just 65 yards on the ground against the Panthers. This simply will not get it done. The team wasn’t able to convert on third down during a 27-0 Panther run that stretched from the second quarter through the third quarter of Sunday’s game.

And with the team now headed up to Seattle for Week 3, it is imperative they get more production from the run game. This would also open up the play-action passing attack and create wider throwing lanes for quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

If the Seattle defense is able to squeeze the Niner receivers and play closer to the line of scrimmage, it will be another long day for Hyde and Co.

The 49ers coaches should design some plays to get Seattle to overpursue, using their aggressive nature against them to run the zone-blocking scheme into space where the defenders are off balance and allow the offensive line to get leverage in their favor and create lanes for the running backs.

If the Niners can do this, they stand a good chance of getting out of Seattle with a win.

Next: No. 3: Who Can Make Big Plays?