Titans vs. 49ers: 5 crucial matchups for San Francisco in Week 15
By Peter Panacy
![SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 08: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs is tackled by Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 8, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 08: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs is tackled by Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 8, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/76fdf515a9b322096e867ec591570d6c868398d5766a3c8aa17cfca04ef64df9.jpg)
No. 5: 49ers Offensive Line vs. Defensive Tackle Jurrell Casey
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are going to have to invest in protecting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, but that means the current group will have to hold its own down the stretch.
Tennessee’s pass rush has been solid enough in 2017, and there’s an interior concern for San Francisco with Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey.
Casey has five sacks on the year, and Pro Football Focus grades him out with an 88.8 overall mark — 10th among all qualifying interior defenders and just a shade behind the 49ers’ own, DeForest Buckner (89.3).
We’re likely to see Casey line up opposite the Niners’ two biggest liabilities along the offensive line, left guard Laken Tomlinson and center Daniel Kilgore.
These two have combined for 58 total hurries on the year, per PFF, and the Titans would be wise to exploit this particular matchup.
If Tomlinson and Kilgore can hold their own well enough on Sunday, the Niners offense should be in pretty good shape.