San Francisco 49ers: 5 predictions for Week 10 versus Giants
By Peter Panacy
![SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Da'Rel Scott #33 of the New York Giants plays against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter on October 14, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 26-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Da'Rel Scott #33 of the New York Giants plays against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter on October 14, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 26-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c4d25f7908d39bbc5e8efd67386216fc48b093d53c429e6decf0c1ba0083e294.jpg)
No. 4: Running Back Carlos Hyde Reaches 100 Yards on the Ground
Perhaps this isn’t so much of a prediction but rather a goal.
It was a bit strange to see running back Carlos Hyde have only 19 attempts last week versus the Cardinals, while quarterback C.J. Beathard attempted 51 passes. While the Niners were playing from behind almost all game, the 20-10 score indicates the contest was never out of reach.
And yet the focus on the passing game subjected Beathard to a huge number of pressures, five sacks and 16 hits.
All the while, the Niners possessed the ball for less than 24 minutes.
Expect that formula to change in Week 10, with Hyde being a primary focal point of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
The Giants haven’t performed well against the run, allowing an average of 4.2 yards per carry, which ranks 20th in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Hyde is averaging 4.0 yards per carry — a number that should certainly increase as the Niners look to feed him on Sunday.
All this would take pressure off Beathard and open up the door for some of the bigger pass plays suggested on the first prediction.
Play action only works if the running game is established, remember?