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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) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a 55-yard catch against the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a 55-yard catch against the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Marquise Goodwin vs. Cornerback LeShaun Sims

Going three wide on offense forces the Titans to bring out cornerback LeShaun Sims on the outside.

He’s appeared in 12 games for Tennessee this year, registering 22 tackles and three passes broken up. But that’s the guy the 49ers want to target.

When the matchup is favorable, doing so should be the responsibility of now-No. 1 wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who posted 106 receiving yards in the 49ers’ win over the Houston Texans last week. Goodwin’s developing rapport with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo should make this matchup enticing.

Especially when opposing quarterbacks own a passer rating of 114.3, per Pro Football Focus, when targeting Sims.