San Francisco Needs Help on Offense Heading to New Orleans
The San Francisco 49ers dropped two games behind the Seattle Seahawks after losing 10-9 against the Carolina Panthers at home on Sunday.
The 49ers offense looked off track the entire game against the Panthers. The defense kept them in the game and actually gave them a chance to win it but the offense could not come through.
Offensively the 49ers could only generate three field goals, all in the first half. In the second half, San Francisco could muster just 45 yards of total offense. Colin Kaepernick the 49ers quarterback had just 91 yards passing in the game and was sacked on six occasions.
During the fourth quarter, San Francisco had the ball for a total of 14 plays and gained just 4 yards.
The offense is what will win or lose the game for the 49ers. Granted the defense must keep them in the game, but in San Francisco’s six wins, they have scored 31 points or more. However, they have scored in just single digits in all three of their losses.
The 49ers were great defensively giving up a long field goal and a touchdown on a broken play. Nevertheless, the defense was not perfect. A big reason Carolina won was they held onto the ball because of their success on third down conversions. Cam Newton the Panthers quarterback converted on 6 of 8 third down conversions with passes during the second half. With New Orleans and Drew Brees next up for the 49ers, they must address that situation immediately.
Aldon Smith played just 12 snaps on Sunday, and most of the time he played as a defensive lineman on the inside on third down situations. This was his first action since the third week of the season and his coaches wanted to work him back into the game slowly. He understood the coach’s decision but hopes to play full time against New Orleans.
San Francisco pulled kick returner Kyle Williams in favor of LaMichael James on punts and Anthony Dixon on kickoffs. That situation should remain as no turnovers were made by either returner.
Jim Harbaugh the 49ers head coach did not speak about the concussions suffered by Eric Reid their rookie safety or starting tight end Vernon Davis during a press conference on Monday.
However, he is considering signing a tight end before the game against New Orleans. Besides Davis being concussed, his backup Garrett Celek suffered a hamstring injury during the first quarter and will likely be sidelined longer than Davis.
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree started practicing last week and Harbaugh said there was a possibility he could be activated to face New Orleans. He has to be activated prior to November 26 or will be out the rest of the season.
Regardless of the moves Harbaugh makes with tight ends or activating Crabtree, the biggest change needs to take place on the offensive line where starters need to step up or sit if the 49ers hope to have a chance against the Saints or the Seahawks next time they meet.
