The San Francisco 49ers host the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the NFL preseason. Niner Noise has five stats you’ll want to watch during this exhibition bout.
The San Francisco 49ers will wrap up their second of two joint practices with the Denver Broncos on Thursday in advance of a preseason matchup versus the AFC West contenders this weekend.
San Francisco is coming off a 27-17 exhibition victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend and will look to make some improvements on what was otherwise an ugly performance on the road.
Preseason games are good for ironing out the kinks, of course, but Weeks 2 and 3 of this period tend to most resemble regular-season games.
So it’s pretty critical head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. shore up some of the apparent weaknesses and shortcomings seen just a few days ago.
In this slideshow, Niner Noise takes a look at five key stats fans should pay attention to during Saturday’s game at Levi’s Stadium.
Let’s jump into one of the uglier lines, penalties.
No. 5: Penalties
San Francisco was flagged 17 times for a whopping 131 yards last weekend versus Kansas City.
That’s a lot, even for a rusty preseason game, and it’s not something the rebuilding 49ers can afford during the regular season.
“Expected it a little bit going into the first preseason game, but definitely was disappointed” Shanahan said of the excess flags, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “We’ve had them in practice. It’s something we just talked to the team about. It’s something we definitely need to get better at and clean up on Monday.”
Six of those penalties came on special teams, so one can figure this is a specific area the Niners will look to address in Week 2.
But the entire issue is something needing to be solved from the top down. That means practicing good technique this week and continuing it throughout the preseason.
Let’s see if this number drops against Denver.
No. 4: Quarterback Brian Hoyer’s Completion Percentage
Quarterback Brian Hoyer didn’t see much of the field in Week 1 of the preseason, taking the field for just two drives.
But those two drives weren’t exactly impressive.
Hoyer finished the night 1-of-4 for just three yards. He could have had a nice completion to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, but the play was negated by an illegal formation penalty.
“It’s obviously disappointing to have only six or seven plays and not get any production,” Hoyer said after the game, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.
Since the middle two games of the preseason often resemble the regular season the most, one would figure Hoyer would see the field much more this weekend.
Hoyer is the unquestioned starter for San Francisco. And while his 25 percent completion percentage versus the Chiefs isn’t an indication what to expect this season, his efforts against Denver certainly will be worth noting.
Hopefully that number will be more in the range of 50 to 60 percent.
No. 3: Running Back Carlos Hyde’s Rushing Totals
San Francisco 49ers
Like Brian Hoyer, No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde didn’t exactly see a lot of action against the Chiefs.
When Hyde’s time on the field came to a close, the 26 year old had just two carries for zero yards.
Hyde did contribute in the receiving game, hauling in one pass for three yards, but one should hope to see all those numbers take a spike this weekend.
Earlier this offseason, Hyde was the subject of speculation whether or not he’d even be with the team by Week 1. All sorts of trade talks, releases and scheme fit dominated Hyde’s future with the Niners, even this season, although most of that has been put to rest.
It appears as if Hyde has a secure hold on the starting tailback spot at this point, even if runners like Joe Williams and Matt Breida had better numbers last weekend (60 yards and 40 yards, respectively).
Look for San Francisco to feature Hyde a bit more this weekend against a stout Denver defense.
No. 2: Defensive End Solomon Thomas’ Pro Football Focus Game Grade
San Francisco’s first-round draft pick, defensive end Solomon Thomas, sure looked like the real deal in Week 1 of the preseason.
Thomas played nearly three quarters in an attempt to get him up to speed, after he missed the majority of offseason activities.
And Thomas didn’t disappoint, receiving a notable 88.2 overall game grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Solomon Thomas was a disruptive force for the 49ers in his NFL debut on Friday: https://t.co/xlOs9FDipH pic.twitter.com/4Q8yqKdgVK
— PFF (@PFF) August 12, 2017
PFF broke it down:
"The rookie third overall pick started his NFL career with a bang as he recorded a hit and two hurries on 20 pass-rush snaps while also showing his stout run stopping ability notching two run stops on just seven run snaps. Thomas was able to consistently push the pocket whether rushing from the edge (9 snaps), over the tackle (8 snaps), or the interior (3 snaps)."
Thomas’ mark led all San Francisco players, with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne coming in at 87.1.
But Thomas is certainly a major figurehead in the team’s rebuilding plans, and the Niners will hope this kind of repeated production is a sign of things to come.
No. 1: Quarterback Hits and Pressures Allowed
If there has been one pressing issue for the 49ers this training camp and preseason, it’s the offensive line.
San Francisco’s O-line wasn’t particularly good last year either, and this season is shaping up to be more of the same.
During the Niners’ win over Kansas City, this unit allowed three sacks and seven quarterback hits. Two of those sacks were due to quarterbacks Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard holding onto the ball too long. But those seven quarterback hits allowed — three of which from former 49ers pass-rusher, and preseason superstar, Marcus Rush — isn’t a good omen.
Run support wasn’t particularly great, mostly with the second-team unit. But pass protection could be a significant issue, especially within the interior.
Granted, the Niners could get second-year guard Joshua Garnett back (knee) in time for Week 1 of the regular season. Yet that’s a hope at this point, nothing more.
Instead, San Francisco will try to field the best unit it can.
Next: 49ers film room: First-team defense vs. Chiefs offense
And based off the early looks, it’s probably going to be a weakness.
San Francisco and Denver kick off on Saturday, August 19 at 10 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.