49ers defensive role reversal in the red zone

by Fooch on Nov 5, 2009 7:30 AM PST in News Comment 18 comments

This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel. If you want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations hurry up and get yourself Comcast's NFL RedZone Channel.

The week before the bye, the Atlanta Falcons absolutely destroyed the 49ers in the red zone. The Falcons went 4 for 5 in the red zone with Michael Turner rushing in for three touchdowns. The only "unsuccessful" red zone trip was the drive where Dre Bly intercepted the pass and fumbled it away on the return (leading to 3 Falcons points). Not exactly a fun day in the red zone for a 49ers defense that was run absolutely ragged all day long.

The week after the bye, the Houston Texans were not in the red zone as often, but they did take advantage of their opportunities with two Steve Slaton touchdowns from inside the ten on three trips into the red zone. The 49ers hung in much better, but it was still not a pretty result.

Then we get to the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. The Colts got into the red zone four times and were unsuccessful all four times in their attempts to get touchdowns, having to settle for field goals. The points were certainly important in the end, but that's still a very impressive showing against a high octane offense. This is a team with a solid running back option in Addai and plenty of passing options with Manning and company. They've got a big time tight end in Dallas Clark, and yet the 49ers defense, when they had their backs to the wall, were able to contain the offense.

So what was the difference? How did this bend but don't break defense step up in such a huge game? And furthermore, which team can we expect in the coming weeks? The Titans aren't exactly a feared offensive power like these past three teams. However, this is still a team with Chris Johnson (and a bit of LenDale White) coming out of the backfield, alongside the always dangerous-on-his-feet Vince Young.

We'll have a post directly related to Chris Johnson in a couple hours, but in terms of general red zone performance, what can the 49ers take away from their performance against the Colts and build upon this week and beyond?

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Comments

How exactly does the comcast sponsorship work with this post?

:-)

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Nov 5, 2009 8:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

how do you mean?

by Fooch on Nov 5, 2009 8:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's sponsored by comcast according to the italics in the first part of the post.

What is the significance of that?

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Nov 5, 2009 9:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

sponsorship

[spon-ser] -noun
a person, firm, organization, etc., that finances and buys the time to broadcast a radio or television program so as to advertise a product, a political party, etc

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 5, 2009 9:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I realize what sponsorship means, thanks.

I wasn’t sure if it was simply “Comcast is giving me money so I’ll mention them in a blog post now and then” or if there was more to it.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Nov 5, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fooch

is probably too busy watching his free subscription to the Red Zone channel to answer that right now. ;)

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 5, 2009 9:51 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Comcast

Basically, Comcast approached SB Nation’s football sites to do a sponsorship across all the sites based in markets that have Comcast (something like 18 or 19 of the sites I think). In return they do provide a bit of cash ($150) at some point after the season is over. The plus to things like this is I can then use a sizable chunk of that cash for prizes for some of our contests (prediction contest, fantasy football, etc…).

by Fooch on Nov 5, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The unknown

I think the Niners are going to be very tough going forward defending in the red zone because it appears as of late they show a shifty look that has been confusing even the best of offenses. This seems to work really well in the 3-4 when you only know for sure that three will be coming at the QB, but don’t know for sure what else is coming at any given time. This forces the opposing offense to be more innovative in an area where there is a lot of pressure to produce and there’s not a lot of room to be “cute”. With that I think the Niners D should be pretty solid for the rest of the year.

by Mangoman1 on Nov 5, 2009 8:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do you think the change of the earpiece

had anything to do with it?

by ZonaBacks10 on Nov 5, 2009 9:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Goldson seems to be better at using the earpiece

Maybe it confused Willis.

Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?

by kinglouie33 on Nov 5, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Holding the Colts to 4 FGs in the redzone

will not be reflected in the season stat sheet accordingly.

Also, since the defense was so successful against Indy, I’m wondering if they’ll incorporate that into the scheme against every opponent from now on. Just because Peyton is the master of the audible, doesn’t mean we need to tip our hand to teams lacking that type of QB.

We should disguise our defense more often, no matter the opponent.

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 5, 2009 9:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can’t see why they wouldn’t do that from here on out.

by Mangoman1 on Nov 5, 2009 9:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Won't advanced metrics...

…take into account that context?

by Bigmouth on Nov 5, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

currently

the 49ers opponents are getting points 44.4% when entering the red zone. On a basic red zone percentages, the 49ers are receiving any extra consideration for doing an excellent job at keeping Indy out of the end zone, because they couldn’t keep them off of the score board.

Considering they are 7th in the league, I’m happy with 44.4% either way.

I’m sure advanced metrics will take that into account, but that’s for stat heads like Florida Danny to figure out. Me, I’m too stupid and can only read basic statistical information on stuff like this.

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 5, 2009 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there any reason to think...

…this isn’t just random variation from game to game?

by Bigmouth on Nov 5, 2009 9:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i hope this team is a learning team

and not saying “we planned to do this since training camp and we’re sticking to it.”

When things work…find ways to repeat them. Sure there is scheming for particular teams/players, etc. but I really hope we’re taking away as much as possible and adapting.

by Tre9er on Nov 5, 2009 10:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Niners could also be playing

up or down to the (perceived) level of the competition.

Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?

by kinglouie33 on Nov 5, 2009 11:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I am going with...

Luck.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
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PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Nov 5, 2009 12:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs