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49ers: 3 big things from preseason Week 3 loss to the Colts

By Akshaj Dwivedula

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Chris McCain #76 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes against Andrew Lauderdale #61 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Chris McCain #76 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes against Andrew Lauderdale #61 of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts Recap Postition Grades and Analysis
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

The 49ers pass rush might not be terrible

For a 49ers defense that was run right through by Deshaun Watson during their preseason Week 2 loss versus the Houston Texans, they just needed to be average against the Colts.

And the defense did just that. They were stout against the run, and without Jimmie Ward manning a corner spot, the secondary was quite decent. They did give up a touchdown, but that was off a busted coverage, which is easier to fix than just bad players.

The biggest sign of improvement for the defense would have had to be the pass rush. Yes, the 49ers missed, like, seven sacks over the course of the game, but they were pressuring and disrupting the Colts’ offense. And defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (h/t Niners Nation) cares a lot more about pressure:

But on top of just getting pressure, the 49ers managed to get it from basically everyone they needed to. Jeremiah Attaochu showed out, but since this isn’t an overreaction piece, that doesn’t mean he’ll be that good the entire year. Apart from Attaochu, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas and Cassius Marsh all contributed with great pressure.

While the 49ers do need to finish their pressures, it was a welcome sight to see, and something that can definitely be built on for the regular season.