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The San Francisco 49ers have dominated through three games this season, outscoring opponents 92-42 en route to a 3-0 record, which only has been matched by two other teams in the NFL thus far.
Through three games, the 49ers have started strong, forcing opponents to implement more of a pass-heavy approach, while their opponents haven't been strong rushing teams as well.
In Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers threw the ball 46 times, rushing just 10 times in a 30-7 loss to San Francisco. The Los Angeles Rams had 55 passing attempts and 22 rushes in Week 2, while the New York Giants had 33 passing attempts to 11 rushes in Week 3.
That strategy will likely flip in Week 4, when the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals, who gashed the Dallas Cowboys on the ground in their 28-16 victory last week, rushing 30 times for 222 yards, with lead back James Conner leading the way with 98 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts.
In a way, the 49ers will face their first true test on the ground against the Cardinals and new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, and head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to agree on Thursday, acknowledging the threat that Arizona possesses on the ground.
"[Our run defense] has been good so far, but you're right," Shanahan said in reference to a reporter. "I don't think we've been challenged a ton in it. I think our biggest challenge will be this week and just what you mentioned going ahead, I think it'll only get stronger. So, we've got our work cut out for us, we're well aware of that. They've been committing to it, they've been blocking it well, and the runner has been running hard and they got a quarterback element that always makes it a problem. So we've got to be on our stuff this week."
The 49ers could see a significant transition in offensive approach from opponents in the coming weeks, as they face the Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and Cleveland Browns in consecutive weeks, who all operate with balanced or more run-heavy attacks.
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks shared praise towards the Cardinals rushing attack as well, pointing out Conner's success this season, as well as the schematics that Petzing has utilized thus far on the ground.
"I think number one, Conner runs the ball hard, very determined guy, makes a lot of people miss after contact," Wilks said in reference to the Cardinals' strengths on the ground. "And again, the offensive line doesn't get enough credit. They do a great job with their gap schemes, opening up holes, getting on the perimeter, getting to the second level. So, they create a lot of problems."
While the 49ers enter the game as two-score favorites, they will need to mitigate the rushing efforts from the Cardinals to see the same level of success they've encountered thus far.
NFL Nation mock draft sees 49ers pivoting after run on tackles
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Apr 23
ESPN recently conducted a mock draft involving its NFL Nation reporters, where each assumed the general manager role for the team they cover. This unique process benefits from selectors who are intimately aware of each team's needs.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to address their offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, marking the team's first first-round selection since 2021. Nick Wagoner, acting as general manager John Lynch, had to adapt his plan based on earlier selections taking several offensive tackles off draft boards.
With those options gone, Wagoner opted for former Missouri pass rusher Darius
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The San Francisco 49ers had a number of intriguing options available in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night but decided to add University of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. at pick 31 overall, bypassing players such as cornerbacks Cooper DeJean of Iowa and Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama and defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton of Illinois.
What should fans know about Pearsall and where he fits in with the 49ers? And does it mean anything regarding the future of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel? Let's take a look.
What the 49ers like about Pearsall, and what general manager John Lynch said about the wide receiver situation
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Anthony "Spice" Adams to announce 49ers' draft picks in 2nd and 3rd rounds
By Site Staff
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NFL Communications has officially announced the "NFL legends and active players" who will announce selections during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Representing the San Francisco 49ers will be former defensive tackle Anthony "Spice" Adams, who spent four seasons with the team and nine in the NFL.
San Francisco selected Adams out of Penn State in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The NFL's full announcement is below.
In the NFL's continuous effort to connect the game's greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac
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George Kittle made his sentiments clear in a recent conversation about his teammate, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The tight end emphasized that he couldn't picture the San Francisco 49ers without Aiyuk and spoke highly of him in a discussion with Fox News Digital's Scott Thompson.
Throughout the offseason, Kittle has had several conversations with Aiyuk and empathizes with his situation. Reflecting on his own contract negotiation in 2020 before reaching an agreement with the 49ers, Kittle offered his best advice to Aiyuk: "Hey, be patient."
Kittle added, "It's just kind of the way the Niners do things. I didn't
