The San Francisco 49ers are refreshed following their bye week. The protection might return defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, which is a welcome sight for a move rush that may use all the assistance it will probably get down the stretch. In the meantime, the offense is as wholesome as it may be minus Brandon Aiyuk and able to roll for the ultimate 4 video games and the playoff run. The one actual query heading into Week 15 would be the MIKE linebacker spot, as Tatum Bethune and the brand new observe squad addition didn’t observe on Wednesday, which might imply Curtis Robinson would begin once more if neither can play in opposition to Tennessee.
The place are the benefits for the 49ers in opposition to the Titans on Sunday? Let’s take a look at the three issues to look at for on Sunday:
The Titans’ most well-liked personnel package deal
Even with rookie quarterback Cam Ward below heart, the Titans lead the NFL in 11 personnel utilization at 73.2%. Two of the beginning broad receivers within the three-receiver set are rookies. The Titans pair Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike with veteran Van Jefferson. Dike has come on of late, however between the 2 rookies, the pair has a mixed 64 receptions. Jefferson has added 23 catches.
The 49ers have confronted 11 personnel groupings at a 62.7% fee, the seventh-highest within the NFL. Rookie nickel cornerback will likely be on the sector a ton, and the 49ers gained’t be in base a lot, if in any respect. Rookie nickel cornerback Upton Stout must be strong in each run and protection protection. The 49ers rank twenty fifth in defensive EPA in opposition to 11 personnel at 0.25. Fortunately, the Titans rank useless final in EPA/play at -0.17.
The Titans’ protection struggles in opposition to movement
One factor is for certain, and two issues are sure: the 49ers offense will make the most of pre-snap movement. Solely the Miami Dolphins (surprise the place that got here from) use movement greater than the 49ers. At 67.8%, Kyle Shanahan and the offense use movement to determine coverages pre-snap, create mismatches, and create angles within the run recreation. Now, the 49ers must monitor Kyle Juszczyk’s standing all through the week, as he’s the first movement participant, however even in his absence, the 49ers will nonetheless movement gamers everywhere in the area.
The Titans are the second-worst protection in opposition to movement with an EPA of 0.18. Whereas dealing with movement solely 53.9% of the time (18th within the NFL), the benefit right here goes to the 49ers and their offense.
Passing within the intermediate portion of the sector
It’s not a secret the place the 49ers wish to stay of their passing recreation. It appears each week, opposing defenses wrestle protecting intermediate passes. This week isn’t any totally different, because the Titans are useless final in intermediate defensive EPA at 0.71. In the meantime, the 49ers are eighth within the NFL with an EPA of 0.52 on intermediate throws.
George Kittle and Jauan Jennings ought to have a grand outdated time on Sunday.
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