What the 49ers Need To Do To Make a Legitimate Super Bowl Run

I would challenge the Red Zone offense should begin to center around Crabtree. Crabs is a physical guy that is learning to use his body to block out defenders. The other team will obviously double Vernon Davis who is our best player for the RZ. This is when Alex needs to take a leap of faith and just sling it to Crabs.

= win win win

I don’t think Williams would be very effective in the red zone. Smaller receivers need the play to develop so they can get up to speed, 49ers short yardage and goal line plays are generally 2 quick reads and then a throw away if needed. I don’t see them changing their play style in the playoffs unless they’re far behind, so we can expect very few risks.

They need to get pressure on the opposing QB for turnovers. Avoid giving up the big play ( even if they have to give up tons of underneath passes, let it happen, shorten the game ).

An interesting facet to the Saints and Packers is that, while both of their defenses are terrible, when they focus solely on the run, they seem to be good against the run. Will the 49ers be able to beat these focused defenses via the air or creativity with misdirection runs? IE, will they try to “out muscle” them for 2 quarters first, or will they go straight to the Giants game plan, just pass pass pass out of the gate even if they’re short passes.

that seems to be totally obvious yet missing from the 49ers offense is the RB dump off pass. I mean, they have a porous OL, a decent-but-inaccurate QB and meh receivers…. but they’ve only thrown about 75 passes to the backs (~45 receptions). Should Hunter become the 3rd down back? Gore has never been a great receiver… and Hunter is averaging 12 yds catch and 7.5 per target (22.1% DVOA).

Just doesn’t seem like a lot (

I guess the Hobson’s choice is that the RB is needed on 3rd down to block or at least chip…. and I am not sure Hunter can pass block.

But that’s what I work on for 2 weeks if I’m Roman. Plays that Alex can get through 3-4 receivers or dump off short.

How many of you are as nervous about this first Playoff game as I am? Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited, but I’m praying the 49ers don’t show up rusty and lethargic from their time off and lay an egg. Hopefully, the team comes out and hits NO/ATL/NYG in the mouth and sets the tone early so the players get even more pumped and the fans stay in the game and become a factor.

I’m a pessimist, so I’ll continue to fear the worst, but I’m hoping the 49ers continue to exceed my expectations as they have all year.

converting 3rd downs and getting points (7, not 3) in the red zone are two of the most important keys to winning any games, not just playoff games. That and turnover differential.

If the Niners can convert 3rd and mediums all day I’ll take my chances.

I honestly believe that something like 75% (chose that more or less arbitrarily, so don’t take it too seriously) of our success in the postseason is going to rely on our defense. Against likely matchups like New Orleans or Green Bay or possibly – POSSIBLY – New England, if the defense takes even a quarter off, we’re going to be in trouble. I think the offense can be up or down against those defenses without a hell of a lot of pain coming our way (assuming limited turnovers), but defensive lapses against those teams could be incredibly damaging.

Luckily our defense is capable of it. I just hate the idea that they have to be totally on their game pretty much the entire playoff run.

Just wanted to say that I thought this was an excellent article.

1. Offensive Line Gets Hot

This will be the key-factor to the success of the offense in the game. The good news is that all the dings, bumps and bruises, and all that will have totally healed. The offensive line will be heading in to the game of whoever we face with that advantage. Also note: Our offensive line has had much, much more success against 4-3 defensive schemes opposed to 3-4 defensive schemes… Saints, Lions, Falcons, and Giants all four run a 4-3 scheme. The Packers are the only team that runs a 3-4 scheme in the playoffs outside of us… They, on defense at least, will present the most problems for our offense.

he hasn’t played that well since the Washington game (w/ the exception of the 2nd Arizona game) and he hurt his ankle. I believe he’s been playing hurt. Since the Giants game (week after the washington game) it seems the offfense has been much more pass happy than it was before. Maybe that’s the team getting more used to the system, but I think it was b/c Gore wasn’t 100% and they were trying to limit him. Either way, he hasn’t been that effective. His avg the last 8 games wasn’t very good (@StL really doesn’t count, I suppose b/c of they were resting him.)

A healthy Gore will allow the team to run the better and control the clock even more. It’ll also set up more short yardage situations on 2nd and 3rd down, which will be helpful to making first downs.

Everyone we play is going to be coming hard down on the run to force Alex to beat them. When you have a team crashing the line of scrimmage you can kill them with counter running plays. It’s one of the few times bringing in a tight formation and forcing the defense to stack the box can work to your advantage. If you sell it well enough you can get 8-9 defenders flowing fake side and the cut back can be a huge play.

This is where we need a healthy dose of Kendall Hunter. Get him in the open field and he can take it to the house.

Is if they can continue generating turnovers and not turning it over themselves.

I think the O-line doing better with protection and converting on 3rd downs are connected. With better protection, Alex makes immensely better throws and they often do not even get to 3rd down. Plus, without sacks 3rd and long’s are much rarer- 3rd and long is when they have real problems.

I also think a good addition to your defensive list is maintaining or increasing pressure on opposing QB’s via the pass rush. This will be very important going up against Brees and Rodgers- they don’t necessarily even have to sack them, but our D-line can NOT give these guys 5+ seconds to make throwing decisions. If they are not rushed and have all day back there to decide where they want to put the ball, they’ll score too many points.

The 49ers better live Gore out of games or loose starting with game #1