49ers: Previewing San Francisco's Week 14 Contest versus Jets

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November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) receives the hand off from quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. The Patriots defeated the 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Offensive & Defensive X-Factors

There isn’t exactly any one area in which the 49ers have a distinct edge over the Jets.

Case in point, the Niners’ No. 1 strength — the running game — ranks No. 4 in the league with 1,532 yards gained. But this attack is going up against a Jets team ranked No. 4 against the run.

Likely, San Francisco stays with its strength, but it will be interesting to see if head coach Chip Kelly opens things up through the air a bit.

OL Zane Beadles & G Andrew Tiller

Let’s assume San Francisco swaps out left tackle Joe Staley with guard Zane Beadles in Week 14. If this is the case, Beadles will be matching up with Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson. Richardson is more of a pocket-wrecking force, opening up pass-rushing lanes for defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who leads New York with 6.5 sacks.

Williams will face off against guard Andrew Tiller, who will occupy Beadles’ spot on the line.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

RB Carlos Hyde

As noted above, running back Carlos Hyde is one of the prominent San Francisco strengths. But so is the Jets run defense.

Hyde is in a position to crest 1,000 rushing yards on the season, and he’ll get his fair share of chances. Will we see a decisive tailback, like we did in Weeks 11 and 12? Or will Hyde look more like the frustrating runner failing to hit the gaps, as was the case in Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals?

QB Colin Kaepernick

What version of Colin Kaepernick will San Francisco get in Week 14?

Kaepernick needs to improve upon the lowly efforts from a week ago — both for his own personal reasons and any 49ers momentum in general. So one might hope last week versus the Bears was more of an anomaly than the norm.

Fortunately, the Jets passing defense has given up an average of 264 yards per game through the air, so Kap should have his chances.

The 49ers Pass Rush

Without center Nick Mangold in the equation, the 49ers should have a substantially easier time rushing quarterback Bryce Petty over the course of this contest.

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) rushes against Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe (60) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Only Jets guards James Carpenter (75.1) and Brian Winters (78.3) grade out higher than 55 points this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The edges are vulnerable, and the Niners might be able to exploit some interior pass-rushing matchups from rookies DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair.

CB Jimmie Ward

Don’t be surprised to see Petty try to take advantage of a questionable 49ers secondary over the course of the contest, much like Bears quarterback Matt Barkley was able to do a week ago.

For this to happen, Petty is going to need to get slot wide receiver Quincy Enunwa involved early and often. Enunwa is leading New York with four touchdowns on the season and is a perfect complement to No. 1 wideout Brandon Marshall.

This means additional work for cornerback Jimmie Ward, who will handle nickel duties when the Jets employ a three-wide formation.

Jets vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 14 for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy | Dec 10, 2016