Cardinals vs. SF 49ers: Breaking down Niners offensive game plan
SF 49ers must run the ball effectively
This goes without saying at this point, but the engine that gets the SF 49ers offense going is the running game.
Yes, in this modern NFL, the passing game is king. But the way Shanahan uses the run to set up the pass (and vice versa, often) is a thing of beauty at times. See games like last season against the Carolina Panthers or the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers for proof of that.
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But against the Cardinals last year, the run game of the SF 49ers was abysmal, carrying the ball just 50 times for a measly 135 yards, most of which came in the first matchup in Week 9.
Now, part of this has to do with the Niners falling behind early in the second game, leading to a season-low 34 yards on the ground. And barely cracking 100 yards in the first game can at least be partially chalked up to the injury to fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who missed four weeks early in the season, and a hobbled (and then missing for the second game) Kittle.
With both players back in the fold for Week 1 and playoff star Raheem Mostert entrenched as the No. 1 rushing option for the team, the SF 49ers should look to take advantage of their superior run game package against a team that allowed 1,922 rushing yards last season, good for 24th in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus rated them as the 17th best rush defense in the league, although the Football Outsiders’ DVOA was kinder to them, as the Cardinals finished with the sixth-best rush defense by that metric (minus-17.5 percent).
In any respect, the SF 49ers should aim to establish what they couldn’t last season and force the Cardinals to make decisions about who they want to beat them, which may allow Garoppolo to have yet another big game against their division foe.
Next. Cardinals vs. SF 49ers: Breaking down Niners defensive game plan. dark
The Cardinals may be poised to be a better team in 2020, but there are still weaknesses that work in favor of the SF 49ers’ offense. Shanahan and company should be ready to exploit them as often as possible to ensure victory in Week 1.