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Giants vs. 49ers: Breaking down San Francisco’s Week 10 game plan

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants rushes against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul #90 of the New York Giants rushes against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on October 14, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around Trevin Wade #31 of the New York Giants during a game at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 11: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around Trevin Wade #31 of the New York Giants during a game at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

49ers’ Offensive Game Plan

It was a bit of a shock the 49ers were so pass happy during last week’s 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and one might expect Kyle Shanahan to change things up against one of the league’s worst run defenses.

New York enters the contest allowing an average of 4.2 yards per carry, which ranks 20th in the NFL. And there are a few reasons why the Giants have had so many issues stopping the run.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Keenan Robinson #57 of the New York Giants in action during the NFL International series game between Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Keenan Robinson #57 of the New York Giants in action during the NFL International series game between Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

Run the Ball at Giants Linebacker Keenan Robinson

One of the primary run-defense weaknesses within New York’s front seven is linebacker Keenan Robinson.

According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson’s 2017 run-defense grade is a lowly 39.4. He typically plays the weak-side (WILL) linebacker in base packages but bumps over to the opposite side in nickel formations.

We can find some examples of his struggles from the Giants’ 51-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, in which L.A. running back Todd Gurley burned New York’s defense on the first drive of the game.

In the play below, Robinson (No. 57) will diagnose the play running to L.A.’s left.

The Rams’ center will pull in an attempt to box out the linebacker:

Run1
Run1 /

As shown below, Robinson does a good job cutting back inside from the center’s block.

If he takes the right angle, Gurley should be cut down after a minimal gain. And there’s nothing in the way to stop Robinson from converging:

Run2
Run2 /

Instead, Robinson hesitates for a split second instead of immediately setting the edge, allowing the center to recover from his over-commitment, subsequently pushing Robinson out of the way:

Run3
Run3 /

Gurley ended up gaining 36 yards on the play.

One should also note this is an outside run, which is a staple of Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Putting the 49ers’ Carlos Hyde into similar situations wouldn’t be a bad move.

Especially if Robinson isn’t actively helping the Giants run defense.

Target Giants Cornerback Ross Cockrell Out of the Slot

One could argue part of the Giants’ issues with head coach Ben McAdoo stem from suspending cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

Jenkins has since been reinstated, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but the Niners should still test the cornerback depth anyway. And a key guy to go after is nickel corner Ross Cockrell.

Cockrell’s coverage skills have been bad this season. On 114 pass-coverage snaps, he owns a lowly 61.4 coverage grade, per PFF. And plays, like the one against Rams slot receiver Cooper Kupp below, illustrate why:

Cockrell1
Cockrell1 /

Kupp bumps the 6-foot-0, 191-pound Cockrell at the line, but the bigger space is created when the cornerback completely guesses wrong on the route.

Just check out the space when Kupp hauls in the 19-yard pass:

Cockrell2
Cockrell2 /

Cockrell has bounced around the league the past few years, and it’s understandable why he’s not a permanent figurehead in New York’s defense. But if he’s on the field, the Niners need to target him.

The challenge will be, though, not having slot receiver Trent Taylor (ribs) on the field this week. He could be out for the rest of the season, meaning someone like either Aldrick Robinson or undrafted rookie Kendrick Bourne into a situation where they can succeed on post routes like this.