A hot topic coming out of the 49ers 17-13 win over Washington yesterday has been the defense giving up 125 yards to Alfred Morris on 21 carries. Morris is the third running back to go over 100 yards on the 49ers this season, and with Marshawn Lynch visiting Levi's Stadium on Thursday there is cause for concern.
While Morris' numbers are impressive, it should be noted that 90 of those yards came on five carries. On his other 16 carries he managed to average only 2.18 yards per carry. This needs to be taken into account because it wasn't as if Morris was making runs that were allowing Washington to dictate the flow of the game.
Let's take a look at the five big runs that the 49ers defense allowed on Sunday.
First Quarter: 10:30, 1st and 10 Washington 21 - Ahmad Brooks gives up outside leverage when he jumps inside and then misses the tackle. Defensive tackle Quinton Dial appears to be in good position as he chases the play down the line, but he trips. Meanwhile, the Washington offensive line does a good job of getting to the second level.
First Quarter: 3:45, 1st and 10 Washington 7 - Tony Jerod-Eddie does a good job of chasing the play down the line of scrimmage and is in position to make the stop for a three to four yard gain, but he gets his head on the wrong side and Morris easily breaks the arm tackle. At the second level, Michael Wilhoite has over-pursued a bit which allows a lane for Morris to pick up additional yardage.
Second Quarter: 7:48, 1st and 10 San Francisco 12 - Chris Culliver is unblocked and has a free shot on Morris in the hole. He doesn't make the play and Morris goes for 11 yards.
Third Quarter: 13:47, 1st and 10 Washington 22 - Vic Fangio sends Michael Wilhoite on a blitz from the backside of the play so the 49ers lose a pursuit defender. Perrish Cox has a free shot on Morris in the hole but backs off and allows himself to be blocked.
Third Quarter: 4:49, 1st and 10 Washington 22 - Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch loses outside leverage, but Michael Wilhoite scrapes over the top and appears to be in position to stop the play for a short gain until he trips. Morris then dances along the sideline for an 11 yard gain.
Similar to the issues we've seen with the offense this season, the big plays given up by the defense call come down to execution. Each time they had a player in position to make a play, but they ultimately failed to do so. The good news for the 49ers is that these are all quick and easy fixes. With only three days to prepare for Seattle, they better make those changes in a hurry.
