49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: San Francisco’s offense
By Peter Panacy
Why the 49ers Offense Regresses in 2018
OK, now for the downer.
The 49ers’ five-game win streak to close out 2017 wasn’t a fluke. But it wasn’t exactly an endorsement of a high-octane offense either.
Sure, the Niners dropped 44 points against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their top-ranked defense in Week 16 last year (well, 38, actually). And those 34 points against the Los Angeles Rams’ B-team in Week 17 looked nice too.
Entering 2018, though, opponents aren’t going to be taken off guard by the Niners offense quite as much. Kyle Shanahan, Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. are no longer flying under the proverbial radar, which only adds to the pressure the 49ers offense will be under to adjust accordingly.
Even assuming this unit handles this well enough, there are still points of concern. A prime example is within the red zone, where the Niners finished 27th in touchdown efficiency last year.
The 49ers didn’t go out and add a bona fide red-zone threat this offseason, largely leaving that issue on the hands of Shanahan’s play calling, Garoppolo and the bigger-bodied receiving targets, of which there are few.
Translating red-zone trips into touchdowns instead of field goals will be crucial for San Francisco’s efforts this year. The Niners aren’t always going to have the luxury of winning games like they did against the Chicago Bears in Week 13 last year, in which five field goals gave Shanahan and Co. the 15-14 edge.
One miss could easily mean the difference between a win or loss, which could translate into a missed shot at the postseason.
There are other factors too. Offensive guard play is still a major question mark, with former first-round draftees Laken Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper vying for set roles. How can they stack up against some of the elite interior pass-rushers the Niners face in 2018? And will their collective efforts be enough to prevent Garoppolo from any unnecessary injury exposure.
Yes, an injury to Garoppolo would be disastrous for this unit.