49ers vs. Seahawks: What’s the Game Plan for San Francisco

No. 1: The Offense Must Continue to Evolve

Prior to the season, a concern of a few analysts was Chip Kelly offense failed to evolve through his first three years.

While he enjoyed tremendous success in 2013 that somewhat carried over into 2014, the offense was a former shell of itself in 2015, mainly due to the lack of interior offensive line talent.

Chris Brown noted prior to the week one game that Chip’s offense became predictable due to certain plays being recognized out of certain formations and that if he were to have success, he would have to evolve his thinking.

He did just that against the Rams by incorporating new running schemes that propelled the 49ers to a 28-0 win.

The first obvious scheme difference was the incorporation of the gap scheme run “counter trey” where the backside tight end and backside guard pull to the playside and kick out the defensive end and lead through the hole.

The rest of the offensive line blocks down and seals off the backside defense.

Also against the Rams, Kelly implemented a run-pass option off of his power-blocking scheme.

Against the Panthers, the offensive evolution continued with the use of formations to run different pass plays.

Typically, a staple of the Kelly offense is the “mesh concept” that combines a deep route and shallow crossing routes out of a two-by-two formation, with two receivers to one side and two tight ends in tight to the line on the opposite side.

Out this two-by-two set against the Panthers, the 49ers ran “four verticals” that seeks take advantage of the deep safety.

Whichever way the safety bails, the quarterback will look to throw the opposite vertical route.

Against Seattle, the offense will need to continue to evolve.