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49ers vs. Colts: 5 Takeaways for San Francisco in Week 5

By Robert Smith

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Cardinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Cardinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

49ers pass rush had another good game

After posting six sacks against Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers went into Indianapolis and grabbed four more against the Colts and Jacoby Brissett.

While those are some pretty impressive numbers, keep in mind it came against two struggling teams. But with young teams, positive reinforcement and moderate success can be a catalyst to growth and improvement. And right now, the 49ers need as much of that as they can get.

The key for the team will be to get consistent pressure throughout the game, and especially in crucial situations. And while the offensive struggles play a part in the defense tiring late in games, the Niners have enough talent along the defensive line that they should be able to maintain their level of aggression throughout the game.

Last season, the team tied for 19th in the NFL in sacks. This season has seen them climb to ninth after five weeks.

Kyle Shanahan will need to keep pushing the buttons that keep the team battling as they have. When the effort is consistent, the wins will eventually come. It’s just a matter of making the players believe in the process.

With games against quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson, to name a few, they will need their defense to generate a pass rush to help a struggling defensive secondary.

And that brings us to our next takeaway from Sunday’s loss.