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49ers: Niner Noise breaks down film of Carlos Hyde running game

By Eric Gamboa

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the overtime period at Levi
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the overtime period at Levi /
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49ers Carlos Hyde
Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) scores a first quarter touchdown as he runs past Los Angeles Rams defensive back Blake Countess at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Hyde rips a 14-yard run versus the Rams

Against the Rams, Hyde recorded 38 yards on 13 plays for a putrid 2.92 YPC average.

Below is Hyde’s best play of the game which shows a perfect marriage of Hyde’s running style and Coach Kelly’s system. This play demonstrates three key things that 49ers did well:

First, the offensive line gets a good push against a tough Rams defense.

Second, 49ers TE Celek provides a chip block on Rams DE Eugene Sims and also blocks a defender at the second level.

Third, Hyde causes three defenders to get “sucked in” behind their own defensive line. Hyde creates this advantage by utilizing an excellent cutback causing two linebackers to over pursue.

The Rams strong safety does not get stuck behind his own line but is still only able to get one arm around Hyde. Hyde easily runs through the arm tackle and finishes by carrying multiple defenders for five yards.

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Hyde is superb, but his game depends on linemen maintaining their blocks. He creates “daylight” by tricking defenders to defend the wrong gap, leaving wide-open holes.

Hyde’s cutback ability will be thwarted If the O-line fails to create running lanes. In several games this season, Hyde was forced to simply pound the rock netting yards per carry averages of 2.43, 1.08 and 2.92. Forcing Hyde to slam against opposing defensive lines resulted in him missing three games due to injury.

Hyde is a fantastic back, but O-line inconsistency hurt the 49ers’ running game all season long.

Next: 49ers: 5 Reasons Why Chip Kelly Stays as Head Coach in 2017

Giving the 49ers line one more year together will pay major dividends next season. Of course that is assuming coach Chip Kelly will return in 2017.