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Jaguars vs. 49ers: Why San Francisco’s offensive line is vital in Week 16

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 29: Anthony Davis #76, Alex Boone #75, Jonathan Goodwin #59, Mike Iupati #77, Joe Staley #74 and Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers run up to the line of scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 29, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 29: Anthony Davis #76, Alex Boone #75, Jonathan Goodwin #59, Mike Iupati #77, Joe Staley #74 and Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers run up to the line of scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 29, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers host the Jacksonville Jaguars and their stout defense in Week 16, meaning the Niners’ offensive line will have its hands full in pass protection against this talented defensive front.

If the San Francisco 49ers are going to pull off an upset over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, it will have to revolve almost completely around the offensive line.

The Jaguars enter this contest with a 10-4 record and seeking to clinch the AFC South. The 4-10 Niners, meanwhile, are in full rebuild mode.

And a part of that rebuild includes restructuring the O-line.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Football Outsiders currently ranks this unit 19th in both pass protection and run blocking. It’s the former we should worry about, as Jacksonville leads the NFL with 51 sacks thus far on the season.

Anyone who’s watched San Francisco this season will know the problems this unit has had, especially along the interior. Meanwhile, all those Jaguars investments within the front seven have paid off nicely.

There are four players the Niners pass blockers should be worried about. Just take a look at the sack totals below:

  • DE Calais Campbell — 14.5
  • DE Yannick Ngakoue — 11.0
  • DT Malik Jackson — 8.0
  • EDGE Dante Fowler — 7.5

Simply put, the Jaguars can muster a pass rush from just about anywhere. And they don’t have to do it by manufacturing a blitz either, as Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney pointed out:

PFF also doesn’t give San Francisco the edge in this particular contest, at least up front.

Just check out how each of the team’s presumed starters in Week 16 grade out:

JAXvsSF
JAXvsSF /

That’s elite level versus novice, and the Niners are on the wrong end.

The three biggest liabilities are pretty apparent — left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Daniel Kilgore and fill-in right tackle Zane Beadles.

Tomlinson figures to have the toughest assignment, as he’ll regularly square off against Jacksonville’s leading sack producer, Calais Campbell.

But that doesn’t mean Kilgore nor Beadles are off the hook. If anything, they’ll be just as busy over the course of the game.

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An educated guess would have San Francisco adding pass protection with its crop of tight ends, notably the veteran, Garrett Celek, and running backs Carlos Hyde and Kyle Juszczyk. This means fewer weapons on the receiving end, though, which spells more problems for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

While the Niners’ three-game winning streak has been wonderful to watch, this particular contest is going to be more than just a bit problematic for the red and gold.

Next: Jaguars vs. 49ers: 5 matchups to watch for Week 16

We’ll see what happens here, but don’t expect this to go well.