5 takeaways from 49ers NFC Championship win vs. Packers
By Chris Wilson
No. 2: 49ers Re-Commit to the Run Game
Much like the defensive dominance early in the season, the 49ers have also reverted back to being a run-first, run-heavy offense. This was evident in the team’s 47 carries in the divisional round against the Vikings, followed by 42 rush attempts against Green Bay.
Running back Raheem Mostert, who actually led the Niners on the ground during the regular season, set multiple records during the NFC Championship game by rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns in the contest.
Essentially, there was nothing the Packers could do to stop Mostert. And there was nothing stopping Kyle Shanahan from almost exclusively using the rushing attack to dominate Green Bay.
"“To think you could win a championship game and only throw the ball eight times in today’s game,” NFL Network analyst and Super Bowl-winning head coach Brian Billick told NFL Now on Monday. “But that’s what you see with the 49ers. Their absolute, institutional, systematic commitment to the run, and Mostert was brilliant. No team plays more regular personnel, that’s 21. Two backs and a tight end, two tight ends three tight ends. They’re totally committed to it.”"
This potentially could be a huge boost against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, as it’s arguably the best way to keep quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. off the field. It worked against the Vikings, with quarterback Kirk Cousins, and it certainly helped against Aaron Rodgers, too.
“That’s the thing that separates them,” Billick added.
On a related note, Football Outsiders ranked Kansas City’s run defense 29th, in terms of DVOA.