49ers vs. Dolphins: Previewing Week 12 for San Francisco
By Peter Panacy
Week 12 by the Numbers
Pick a stat, any stat, and chances are the Niners are close to the bottom in the category.
If there are some positives around which the 49ers can hope in Week 12, it’s within their pass defense (ranked 14th in the league) and rushing attack (ranked fifth).
The 49ers Run Defense
San Francisco’s run defense — the No. 1 Achilles heel of the team right now — has certainly been abysmal. But one could argue this unit turned a small page over the last two weeks.
The Niners held Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson to just 55 rushing yards in Week 10. And while Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount rushed for over 100 yards last week, the film on the 49ers run defense looked much more improved than what was seen earlier this season.
Clearly, the return of defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has made a huge difference.
But the 49ers will have to face off against Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and the No. 8-ranked rushing attack in the NFL.
Ajayi leads all running backs in the league this season with a stellar 5.6 yards per carry. He’s pretty good and could easily have a huge game against San Francisco.
Yet running back Carlos Hyde could have a big game as well. The Dolphins have given up 1,261 yards on the ground this season, which ranks 30th in the NFL. So at least a Miami weakness plays into a 49ers strength.
The Passing Game
Miami isn’t much of a threat through the air, at least not based on the numbers.
Outside of Dolphins wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills, Miami doesn’t exactly have the bona fide weapons to create significant mismatches within San Francisco’s OK secondary.
Don’t expect the 49ers to have much success through the air either. The Dolphins are currently ranked eighth against the pass and have 23 sacks on the season.
Speaking of the guys under center…