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5 biggest challenges facing 49ers vs. Packers, Ravens and Saints

By Robert Morrison

Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball as Marcus Davenport #92 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the second half of a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball as Marcus Davenport #92 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the second half of a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Score points against solid-to-good defenses

While not as spectacular as the offenses, all three of the 49ers next opponents feature defenses that are solid at the least.

The Packers got off to a great start on defense, holding their first three opponents to three, 16, and 16 points respectively. But their recent output ranks them somewhere near the middle of the league in terms of DVOA (2.1 percent, 18th), PFF grades (73.3, 15th) and points allowed (20.5, 14th).

They still have excellent pieces, such as pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, their highest graded defender, per PFF (82.8 overall, 83.9 pass rush), cornerback Tramon Williams (75.2 overall, 80.3 coverage) and safety Adrian Amos (72.7 overall, 70.6 coverage). But lately they’ve been prone to giving up more points, giving up 24.3 points per game over the last seven games.

The Ravens, on the other hand, seemed to have flipped the other direction. They are still middle of the pack, per PFF (72.2, 16th), but actually are top 10 in DVOA (minus-6.2 percent, 10th) and in points allowed (19.6, 6th).

And after a stretch where they gave up 33, 40 and 23 in consecutive weeks to the Chiefs, Browns and Steelers, they’ve looked more solid in recent weeks, giving up just 14.6 points per game over their last five.

As for the Saints, well they’ve been good on defense essentially all year long. They are currently fifth in DVOA at minus-8.7 percent, seventh per PFF at 81.1, and rank 12th in the league for scoring defense at 19.9.

Their defense features seven players who have PFF grades above 72 for the year so far, including safety Marcus Williams (91.4 overall, 90.9 coverage), linebacker Demario Davis (83.9 overall, 81.0 run defense, 80.1 coverage), and edge rushers Marcus Davenport (76.1 overall, 68.8 pass rush) and Cameron Jordan (82.0 overall, 75.0 pass rush). This means they have strong players on all levels of their defense.

It will up to head coach Kyle Shanahan to dial up the right plays at the right times, and the 49ers to find balance in their offense, not just to lean on the arm of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, as they have had to do often the last few weeks, to varying degrees of success.

Getting tight end George Kittle back from injury will help, as will improved health for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. And the emergence of rookie receiver Deebo Samuel as a third option should also prove useful against these defenses.

But points may be at a premium against these teams, a worrying combination given the strength of the offenses.