49ers Starting to Show Signs of Improvement Down the Stretch in 2016
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers are playing like a better team over these final weeks heading towards the 2016 NFL season conclusion. Are these signs of a team finally starting to jell under head coach Chip Kelly?
Toss aside, for a moment, the now-franchise worst 10-game losing streak the San Francisco 49ers are on.
Forget the lone win, back in Week 1, and the 10 losses the Niners have had every week since.
Instead, consider the reality this San Francisco squad is actually playing better in recent weeks and might continue to do so through into Week 17.
Gone are the days — we hope — where the 49ers get blown out 45-16 (Week 6) or cough up 26 second-half points (Week 5). No, the last three games have been fairly competitive. It’s weird to think the Niners have actually resembled an NFL team.
They have, even if the wins and losses don’t reflect it.
San Francisco has found a bit of cohesion dating back to Week 10. Granted, this group is nowhere close to knocking off mid-to-elite-level teams either at home or on the road. And that’s why the 49ers aren’t anywhere close to being a winning team right now.
But things are starting to click. Truly, they are.
49ers Run Defense
San Francisco’s run defense has been the No. 1 Achilles heel of this group all season long. It’s no question the Niners stink here. They’re dead last in the league, allowing an average of 171.8 yards per game, against the run.
Seven of the 49ers’ 11 games this season have resulted in opponents rushing for 150-plus yards, and three of those have seen performances by teams posting up over 200 yards against the San Francisco run defense.
But things have changed a bit in recent weeks.
Yes, New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount rushed for 124 yards in Week 11, which capped a 171-yard effort on the ground by the Pats. But consider the games in both Weeks 10 and 12.
In Week 10, the Niners held Arizona Cardinals tailback David Johnson — he’s tearing up the league, in case you hadn’t noticed — to just 55 yards on the ground.
Week 12 saw Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi rush for a mere 45 yards on 18 carries.
A big reason behind the Niners success here has been the return of defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.1 grade for Week 12, which was among the tops for all 49ers on the day.
Second-Half Offensive Woes Waning?
It’s been another story seemingly all season long. San Francisco gets off to a hot start, often leading in the early stages, before falling flat in the second half.
In Week 10 though, the Niners actually outscored the Cardinals 10-3 in the third and fourth quarters combined. Only Arizona’s fourth-quarter game-winning field goal proved to be the difference.
Yes, Week 11’s collapse in the fourth quarter to the Patriots is a black eye. But keep in mind San Francisco trailed only 13-10 going into the final frame. At least the defense was holding its own up to that point.
Finally, we can look at last Sunday in Miami. Both teams scored 17 points apiece after halftime. Only the Dolphins 14-point second quarter (the 49ers led 7-0 after quarter one) ensured San Francisco’s losing streak continued.
Colin Kaepernick Playing Well?
He may not be a long-term answer, but quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s efforts over the last four weeks have been commendable.
His 398 passing yards against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 were the second most of his career, albeit against a bad Saints defense. One might have thought this was merely an anomaly and we should expect more of the same struggles seen earlier in the season.
Kap backed it up with an OK performance against the Cardinals. But his efforts against the Patriots and Dolphins in back-to-back weeks should be noted. He was a combined 45-of-76 ( a 59.2 completion percentage) for a net total of 712 yards and six touchdowns against one interception.
San Francisco’s quarterback also led all rushers with 113 yards on the ground in Miami.
Kaepernick is far from perfect though. His first-half passer rating is still a blazing 121.4, but the second half falls to a measly 65.1.
At least one can fathom his rapport developed with head coach Chip Kelly as a positive possibility. And to think what Kaepernick might be able to do with some reliable receivers.
Cohesiveness a Factor
Say what you want about Kelly’s team right now. They’re bad and lack talent. But at least the cohesion has been there.
San Francisco isn’t exactly getting blown out in games, at least not by the same standards seen earlier this season. The Niners actually resemble an NFL team in recent weeks and not the wholesale laughingstock earlier this season.
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It’s not much. But it’s something.
For those wishing for a high draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, this is exactly the desired scenario — losing down the stretch but finding some sort of rhythm and momentum to carry into the offseason.
If Kelly stays into next year, it’s a period of growth. And the Niners are showing that. If not, at least we get an idea of the team’s development leading into next season.
Next: 49ers vs. Dolphins: The Good, Bad & Ugly from San Francisco
And that’s about all one can ask for from this franchise right now.