5 overreactions from SF 49ers win over NY Giants in Week 3
Overreaction No. 3: The offensive line will be what ends the SF 49ers season
If there has been a single damp spot for the SF 49ers during their destruction of New York football, it has been their offensive line. Left tackle Trent Williams continues to show why he is one of the biggest steals for the Niners in the offseason. And center Ben Garland, who himself is a backup for Weston Richburg, has played relatively well in his return.
That has been about it, though.
Left guard Laken Tomlinson had himself a rough game against the Giants, and it was his allowed sack that took out Jimmy Garoppolo’s ankle. Right guard Daniel Brunskill flashed as a jack-of-all-trades last year, filling in a pinch at any position the SF 49ers needed, but as a consistent starter, the production has not been there. And right tackle Mike McGlinchey, whose run-blocking was All-Pro level and whose pass-blocking was developing, has taken a step back in the early part of the season.
In the first half against the Giants, the pass blocking was bad, as was the run blocking. As a result, the 49ers offense stalled considerably. Perhaps the only thing that kept the game from getting out of hand was the ineptitude of the Giants offense.
In the second half, the blocking took over as the Giants defense was gassed, and the offense hummed beautifully. It’s quite clear: the 49ers offense lives and dies with their offensive line.
If the SF 49ers do end up losing in the playoffs or lose enough regular season games to not make the playoffs, a major theme will be an inability to block opposing rushers, leaving the Niners disjointed and disheartened.
The offensive line does have the capacity to end the SF 49ers season in a flash.