49ers film room: Offense’s opening drive vs. Vikings starting defense

The San Francisco 49ers’ first-team offense shined during their third preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. We break down the film of the 49ers’ first offensive drive of the game.

On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers got their first taste of the offense they ordered when they signed head coach Kyle Shanahan earlier this year.

Shanahan had his offense — which Bleacher Report recently ranked as the best offensive scheme in the NFL — running on all cylinders with his starting squad. Since the third game of the preseason is generally used as a “dress rehearsal” for opening day, the 49ers’ offensive outbreak came at the perfect time.

Let’s take a look at how the 49ers’ starting offense drove down the field for the five-play score. After stopping the Minnesota Vikings on their opening drive, the Niners began their first offensive drive on their 21-yard line.

The 49ers line up with 21 personnel in I-Formation with Twins on the wide side of the field:

The key matchup on this play is between the two highlighted players; 49ers guard Zane Beadles and Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson:

As the 49ers’ line attempts to open a hole for running back Carlos Hyde, Johnson fights his way out of Beadles’ grasp:

Johnson pushes Beadles down as 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk nears the line of scrimmage:

Juszczyk is able to get to the second level, and pushes his man between Johnson and the hole:

Thanks to his fullback, Hyde is able to squeeze through the small crease to pick up five yards on first down:

2nd-and-5 at SF 26

On second down, the 49ers line up with 12 personnel in a shotgun formation, and motion Hyde outside the numbers:

The motion causes confusion between the Vikings’ inside linebackers regarding the defenders’ responsibilities for Hyde and 49ers tight end Vance McDonald:

The linebackers eventually move to their respective positions, leaving a gaping hope in the middle of the field:

Shanahan calls his popular “Slant-Flat” concept, and quarterback Brian Hoyer quickly fires the ball to wide receiver Pierre Garçon

Garçon catches the pass and heads upfield for a 10-yard reception and a 49ers first down:

1st-and-10 at SF 36

The 49ers are in 12 personnel, with wide receiver Aldrick Robinson in motion from his outside position:

When the Vikings do little to modify their defensive formation, Hoyer likely signals for a running play to the left side.

The 49ers now have Robinson and tight end Garrett Celek lined up against Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo:

Unfortunately, Senedjo manages to push both blockers into the backfield, and Hyde is unable to get to the outside:

Hyde is forced to cut inside, and picks up just two yards on the play:

2nd-and-8 at SF 36

The 49ers line up in 21 personnel, with McDonald off the line of scrimmage, and both wide receivers in plus splits:

McDonald motions toward the near side of the field before motioning back to his original position:

The Vikings switch to a single-high look, as the strong safety moves into the box and linebacker Anthony Barr shows blitz; Barr will be Juszczyk’s responsibility if he rushes the quarterback:

Barr blitzes, and Juszczyk struggles to keep him out of Hoyer’s face; Hoyer is forced to make the throw before he hits the back of his five-step drop:

Luckily for Hoyer, he has an open receiver in Garçon. Here’s Garçon as he waits for the snap:

Garçon’s hard step to the outside has cornerback Trae Waynes corncered about a potential fly route, since the corner has limited help over the top.

Garçon has Waynes flipped around when the receiver cuts inside:

Garçon catches the pass and looks to gain yardage:

Garçon is taken down after a 16-yard reception and another 49ers first down.

1st-and-10 at MIN 46

While 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin racks up deep touchdown catches during practice, many fans have been itching for an in-game highlight; on Sunday, they got their wish.

The 49ers line up in 21 personnel, and send Garçon in motion:

With the 49ers in a base formation, the Vikings have seven men in the box:

As the 49ers fake the run to the wide side of the field, left tackle Joe Staley leaves defensive end Everson Griffen unblocked:

Juszczyk’s objective is to get Griffen to the ground, and out of the play:

Juszczyk does his job, as Hoyer fakes the reverse to Garçon, and looks downfield:

Barr slides toward Garçon, but fellow linebacker Eric Kendricks is too shallow to defend against McDonald over the middle:

However, the Vikings make a bigger mistake in coverage farther down the field. Both safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes are in no position keep pace with the speed of Goodwin:

With a 3-yard head start on Rhodes, the cornerback doesn’t stand a chance:

Hoyer sends the ball downfield toward his open receiver:

Goodwin catches the pass for a 46-yard touchdown for the 49ers:

Next: 49ers preseason: Player stock watch after Week 3

In their first drive, the San Francisco 49ers demonstrated that merely the threat of a running game opens up the field for the team’s speedy receivers. If the Niners are able to establish a consistent running attack, the 49ers could have an exciting offense in 2017.