The San Francisco 49ers have not won a game since week one, and last week the team had one of its worst performances of the season. Week 14 offers a chance to rebound from Chicago as the New York Jets come to Levi Stadium. The 49ers are catching the Jets at a time of doubt and question. The fans are not filling the stadium, and starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has just been benched. This means San Francisco has the advantage of facing rookie quarterback Bryce Petty. Though the Jets offense may be handicapped, New York’s defensive front is ferocious. Neutralizing that defensive pressure and getting after Bryce Petty are important keys to a San Francisco victory.
San Francisco 49ers Week 14 Keys to Victory
Neutralize New York’s Pass Rush
This task is much easier said then done. To this point in the season, the Jets defensive line has combined for 16.5 sacks. Defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams have been a menace on the outside. Williams leads the team with 6.5 sacks, followed by nose tackle Steve McLendon with 3.5 sacks. Mix in the talents of Lorenzo Mauldin and Sheldon Richardson, and the Jets posses a formidable rotation.
The best way the 49ers can counter this threat is by chips and double teams. When passing, Carlos Hyde needs to do his part with solid pass blocks; getting good chips on the outside against Wilkerson or Williams. Hopefully Hyde does not get left in one-on-one situations with one of those ends, or it could lead to a sack. Double-team help will be needed on the interior against McLendon. Daniel Kilgore will need assistance from his guards this week versus New York.
Pressure Bryce Petty
Young quarterbacks have a tendency to be easily rattled when pressured in the pocket. Bryce Petty will be vulnerable to that same tendency. Lack of experience at the NFL level leaves Petty with many shortcomings for San Francisco to exploit. Petty does not yet possess good pocket presence or awareness. Blind side blitzes should be able to get home versus the Jets.
A consistent pressure will also force Petty into mistakes. Petty has already thrown three interceptions in his short playing time. A few knock downs and hard hits and Petty will start to feel ghosts. He needs to release the ball quickly to avoid sacks, due to the fear of getting planted. These scenarios should lead to picks for the 49ers secondary and batted balls for the defensive line. San Francisco needs to be able to exploit the rookie’s weaknesses and make the Jets offense one-dimensional.
Feed Carlos Hyde
Carlos Hyde has been averaging 4.7 yards per carry the last three weeks. Last week in a losing effort, Hyde still rack up 92 yards on 20 attempts. San Francisco needs to keep Carlos Hyde on a roll Sunday. An effective running game means controlling the clock, which will lead to controlling time of possession. Colin Kaepernick made it evident again last week that his arm will not win the 49ers football games. This reality is even more the reason to keep Hyde pounding the ball.
The best thing Chip Kelly can hope to do with Kaepernick at this point is to use him as a compliment to Hyde’s running style. Kaepernick is more of an elusive, breakaway runner who can get to the outside. Hyde is much more a north and south-type back. Regardless, San Francisco’s only real remaining strength is their running game. It would behoove them to play to their strengths and possibly pull out a victory versus the struggling Jets.
