49ers Rushing Defense: 'Dream Scenario'? Maybe With This Unit

by David Fucillo on Dec 1, 2011 12:47 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

ESPN's NFC West blogger Mike Sando put together a small write-up this afternoon that I thought was rather amusing. He predicted the 49ers would win Sunday's game 27-7 and was apparently asked if he thought the Rams 7 would come from a rushing touchdown. In response, he wrote up a scenario that could be a dream scenario for an objective NFL fan, but would likely cause some heartburn for 49ers fans:

The 49ers lead by five. The opponent has fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line with one second remaining in the fourth quarter. The opposing team's leading rusher has 99 yards on the ground. The 49ers, having not allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last 33 games, need a victory to clinch something of importance.

The 49ers rush defense is playing at a level that hasn't been seen in some time. The 49ers are actually tied for second in the league in yards per attempt given up, but the real numbers are in not allowing 100-yard rushers and not giving up rushing touchdowns. The 49ers have not given up a rushing touchdown through the first 11 games of the season season and are the first team since the 1928 Providence Steamrollers to do so. Maybe the 49ers should get the defense some Steamrollers t-shirts?

The 49ers rush defense will face a stiff challenge from the always tough Steven Jackson, but if it comes down to a situation like Sando described above, the 49ers are playing as well as any in that kind of scenario. Insider the ten-yard line, opponents have attempted 14 runs for 10 yards. Inside the five-yard line, opponents have attempted six rushes for -2 yards. While there wouldn't be monster rushing numbers inside the ten and five yard lines, it is still a very impressive performance to date.

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If it had to be anybody killing the record

I suppose I’d be as ok with it being SJax as anyone.

BUT: I’m not with it. However, if I had to choose between the hundred yards, and the no rushing touchdowns, I’d go with the latter: No one else in the NFL has done that in a season.

Prediction: 18 carries, 63 yards, no rushing touchdowns.

Now, how’s our O-line looking for pass protection purposes?

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Dec 1, 2011 2:43 PM PST reply actions

Looks like a big day for Gore / Hunter.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Dec 2, 2011 6:44 AM PST up reply actions

Now that the Playoffs are all but wrapped up.. And so is the bye in all likelihood

The two records are all im looking forward to right now. I dont know which one is more important to me but i would have to say I dont want them to allow a TD.. Thats never happened ever. That would be a cool record.. If they were broken though it would be the TD.. No one is getting 100. No one has seemed to even get close.. And it wont be sunday either. We should jump to a lead and they will become pass happy

Follow @cbush927

by Collin B on Dec 1, 2011 3:27 PM PST reply actions

The Saints are only one game behind us as far as the bye goes.

That’s not wrapped up by any means, given the nature of the NFL. I’d say NO is the best team in the NFC right now, GB’s record notwithstanding. Followed by the Niners and then Dallas and then Detroit maybe. The AFC I’d give to the Texans, then the Ravens. Anyways, lots of football left. The only way to guarantee the 2nd seed is to run the table. Go Niners!

We have a hologram playing right guard. Great.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 1, 2011 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Think we hold tie breaker

NO has 3 NFC losses so we are basically 2 up

Can lose to Pitt and at SEA to end the year

TGWTWS...there isn't much else that needs to be said

by McCoven on Dec 1, 2011 4:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

If we lose 2 more and they don't lose any

There will be no need for a tie-breaker. Plus our losses would come from the NFC, giving us 3 losses as well if we lost 2. I’ll concede that we can afford one game though.

We have a hologram playing right guard. Great.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 1, 2011 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

i hope we dont allow a rushing TD or 100 yard game all year

that would be awesome

Coach Harbaugh is the truth!!

by chris z on Dec 1, 2011 3:30 PM PST reply actions

Steamrollers, Love it

Why did so many animal named teams survive extinction and not the Steamrollers? The NFC West might get some respect if we had the Steamrollers instead Lamb, Squab and Wharf-Hobo-Bird.

Support Ron Paul for President

by bignerd on Dec 2, 2011 12:48 AM PST reply actions