The Titans defense ranks 13th in DVOA, four spots below the 49ers. They've got two very good safeties in Byard (5 INT's) and Hooker. Pair that with a formidable pass rush with 35 sacks and a 7.3% adjusted sack rate, good enough for 6th in the NFL and you've got trouble ahead. Landry(11 sacks) and Autry(7 sacks) are their speed rushers, and Simmons(7 sacks) is the heavy artillery.
Jimmy Garoppolo is going to need to be super sharp, possibly the sharpest he's been all year when he drops back to throw. I would expect the Shanny Plan to limit the right sides exposure to pass pro as much as possible. This would probably be one of those 40 rushing attempts game plans however, they're down to just two running backs they can trust, Wilson and Samuel; not to mention they travel east on a very short week. They're going to need Jimmy to make plays while avoiding that whiskey, tango, foxtrot interception in order to travel back home victorious.
Scooter
ReplyDeleteThe strength of the Titans is their defense. The last 2 weeks it has been very good against the run and for all of 2021 it's ranking 2nd in the NFL.
But as good as the Titans defense has been, their offense is equally bad. Without Derrick Henry the Titans have only managed to score 13 points in their last 3 loses and their wheels come off in the 2nd half of the Steelers game. Against the Steelers, Anthony Firkser fumbled early in the 2nd quarter, Racey McMath’s fumble in the 3rd quarter, Tannehill was interception early in the 4th quarter, and the botch snapped between Ben Jones and Tannehill rounded out the turnovers for the Titans. Tannehill only completed 12 passes for 37 yards over the final 2 quarters, while the team committed 3 of their 4 turnovers. (The Titans have committed 13 turnovers in their last 4 games). The 0-line also failed to protect Tannehill, as he was sacked 4 time. If that happens against the 9ers D, with 36 sacks and tied for the 9th most in the NFL, it could turn into another blow out loss for the Titans.
The one bright spot for the Titans offense has been their RB
D’Onta Foreman, who rushed for 155 yards on 35 carries over the last two weeks, including 108 yards on 22 attempts against the Steelers run defense, the same Steelers defense was the 2nd worst entering the game.
Bosa should get at least one sack. Defense will get an interception and perhaps a fumble recovery.
DeleteLow scoring game. Niners run and run behind the left side of the O line early and often. Jimmy G stays reasonably sharp on third downs and avoids TOs. D line stifles the Titan's run game and throttles down their passing game. Niners squeak by with an one score victory.
ReplyDeleteMood
DeleteI see JG hitting Kittle and Aiyuk for TD's, while the 9ers spring Deebo for a TD run. As of week 15, Titans pass defense is ranked 19th, giving up an average of 243 yards p/game.
Titans’ top 2 WR's, Julio Jones and A.J. Brown, are dealing with injuries. Jones left the Steelers game after re-aggravating his hamstring and didn’t return.
Brown has been on IR with a chest injury. He could be activated in time for the game but with little time to prepare for the 9ers, how effective will he be?
9ers 24: Titans 13:
All I want for Christmas is this win!
DeleteNiners need to continue to run the ball, protect the CB's and hope that special teams don't lose the game. Couple all that with no turnovers and the Niners should be golden.
ReplyDeleteIs Hightower the special teams coach next year?
DeleteHightower's chance to remain ST coach is directly proportional to how deep we go into the playoffs.
DeleteIrrespective, John Lynch better Trade for/Draft a true KR/PR. This position needs to be prioritized next offseason.
I don't know, not sure what the problem is. The only thing I know for sure is that special teams are the weak link.
DeleteUnder, unlike Smaug's one weak spot, the 49ers have three; special teams, cb and the right side of the offensive line in pass pro.
DeleteI alluded to the first two and it's up to Shanny on how to protect the right side of the line with his play calling. Screens, rolling JG out, run right at the right-side are some of the ways to combat the weakness. A pass rush will help the CB's. Special teams smh, so many problems...
DeleteJimmy Garoppolo: 86.5 PFF Grade since Week 8
ReplyDeleteFirst place medal 1st among all QBs
Record: 6-2
DeleteQB rating: 107.4 (2nd in NFL)
Completion pct.: 69.0 (3rd)
Yards per attempt: 9.0 (1st)*
* Aaron Rodgers is second at 8.1
"Jimmy hasn't been much different to me all year," Kyle Shanahan said Sunday. "I think we've gotten better around him throughout the year."
DeleteMM, Lynch on Thomas
ReplyDelete"His message was that Thomas is doing the difficult part of his job. He put himself in a position to make plays on the ball in the 49ers’ 31-13 victory Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, he just has to finish."
Yuppers.
Mitchell out. Al-Shaair questionable.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteJeff Deeney
@PFF_Jeff
· 28m
#49ers DT D.J. Jones has 31 run stops on the season, tied for the most of any defensive lineman. His run stop percentage of 14.8% also ranks second.