Giants vs. 49ers: The good, bad and ugly from San Francisco’s Week 10
By Peter Panacy
The Bad
Wins are nice, but it’s important to remember this one came against a Giants team that has underachieved at almost every level this season.
Even then, the game wasn’t entirely pretty.
We don’t have to be big downers here, but there are a few things worth pointing out that need work from San Francisco.
San Francisco 49ers
Cornerback Dontae Johnson
San Francisco’s secondary is going to need a lot of work this offseason, especially at cornerback.
Rookie corner Ahkello Witherspoon is going through some growing pains, but the same shouldn’t be said about the veteran, Dontae Johnson.
Johnson was a fairly regular target by Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and Johnson was one of the primary reasons why New York wide receiver Sterling Shepard managed 142 receiving yards on 11 carries.
OK, nickel corner K’Waun Williams too.
Nevertheless, San Francisco would be wise to invest in some corners this offseason.
Interior of the 49ers Offensive Line
It might not show up on the postgame stat sheet, but one has to give a lot of credit to running back Carlos Hyde and Co. for eluding defensive pressure behind the line of scrimmage and making positive gains out of would-be losses.
One of the biggest reasons why this continuously happens is due to the 49ers offensive line, namely the interior.
Now San Francisco’s O-line managed to protect quarterback C.J. Beathard well enough — zero sacks and only five QB hits — but there was still a good amount of interior pressure from New York.
Yes, the interior O-line needs help this offseason.