The San Francisco 49ers are 5-4 and are heading into a critical stretch of games. They host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, followed by back-to-back trips to Green Bay and Buffalo. After that, they host the Chicago Bears. If they can go 3-1 in that four-game stretch, they will be in great shape for a final run toward the postseason. If they split those games, the challenge to make it to the playoffs becomes more difficult. Yes, one game can make a big difference because of the hole the 49ers have dug for themselves.
We opened a brand-new 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week. You asked some outstanding questions. Thank you, as always, for asking questions, and for reading our mailbag. Let's jump in.
Although I'm both happy and relieved that CMC is back, I was mystified that Mason and Guerendo weren't at least somewhat involved. Do you think Shanahan will try to integrate his obviously talented backup RBs into the game plan for the rest of the season? - Andy G.
I was a little surprised Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo didn't play more than they did against the Buccaneers, considering Christian McCaffrey was playing in his first game since the Super Bowl. But the game was close, and McCaffrey hates coming off the field. There was one moment when the coaches sent one of the other running backs in to give McCaffrey a break, and he looked annoyed. He played all but about eight snaps, and still was irritated to come off the field. That's how much he loves being out there.
So I was a little surprised McCaffrey played so much, but not a lot surprised. If the game had been a blowout, I doubt McCaffrey would have played as much. But with him, you never know.
Moving forward, I'm willing to bet Mason gets more playing time once his shoulder is better. And hopefully, it gets better this season. They will need him again.
What's really going wrong in the red zone? It's been even more barren than in recent years. - SportyMiner
The 49ers are making too many mistakes in the red zone. This team has always played with a lot of urgency, like their hair was on fire, and as if their season was hanging in the balance. This year, they haven't been playing that way. At times, they have. But for much of this season, that intensity has been lacking. I think that is one of the biggest issues with the red zone offense this season.
Injuries have had an impact, as well. Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season, and even before that, wasn't himself. McCaffrey just returned. The offense looks out of sync in the red zone. But you have to think that they'll clean that up eventually. They have to. Field goals won't do it, especially in Green Bay and Buffalo.
How many of the next four games must the 49ers win to stay in the hunt for the NFC West title? Seattle, Green Bay, Buffalo, and Chicago are those opponents. - Ed H.
They have to win the Seattle and Chicago games. I already wrote that if they can go 3-1, which means they have to win in either Green Bay or Buffalo, they'll be in a good place at 8-5. It's a little worse if they split the four games (7-6). If they lose to Seattle, it may be over. Because at that point, you run the risk of going 1-3 in this four-game stretch, which puts you at 6-7. If the 49ers are 6-7, they would likely have to win every one of their remaining four games, which includes the Rams, Dolphins, Lions, and Cardinals. That's not an easy four games.
The 49ers need to sweep the remaining divisional games. If they lose one of those three games, I'm afraid they won't win the division. And if they don't win the NFC West, they may not get into the postseason.
Why hasn't the special teams coordinator been fired yet? - Joshua G.
The 49ers special teams unit is bad. But Special Teams Coordinator Brian Schneider won't be fired during the season. After the season is over, I predict he will be calling U-Haul. Kyle Shanahan will make a change at special teams coordinator this offseason. Something has to change. The 49ers can't continue having one of the worst special teams in the league. Especially when you look back at 49ers history and remember games lost by special teams (mutters Kyle Williams).
Speed - we need to get it on the field. Defenses are just camped out 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. How does Coach look to loosen the D? - Lowbridge
Jacob Cowing has excellent speed, but he isn't getting much playing time on offense, most likely because he needs to improve as a blocker. Until he does that, he won't play as much. Remember: "No block, no rock."
When the 49ers lost Aiyuk for the season, they lost one of the receivers who could create space and pick up chunk yards downfield. Somehow they need to figure out how to loosen up the defense so they stop crowding the line of scrimmage. Shanahan needs to continue being creative and using play-action, misdirection, and all the other things he does to get his guys open. When you don't have a lot of speed, you have to do it in other ways.
Missed penalty on the muff? - Matt
Can you please break down how the "muffed punt" from the Bucs game wasn't nullified? I am clearly missing something, as neither the commentators nor Kyle challenged or commented on it, but I was POSITIVE that our guy Luter Jr. (#28) was blocked INTO Cowing, therefore causing the interference with the punt. What am I missing? - Will S.
Darrell Luter, Jr., was pushed into Cowing, leading to the muffed punt. There wasn't a penalty called, and the turnover was allowed to stand because a gunner on the punt team is allowed to push a player on the return team into the return man. What the Tampa player did on that play is completely legal. That's why there was no flag called, and the turnover stood.
It seems like the front office has whiffed on drafting a stud DE opposite Bosa these past few years. Drake Jackson and Robert Beal are almost bust territory. Do you think who they have currently (Floyd, Sam O, maybe Gross-Matos) will be enough this season? - Andy G.
The current edge rushers on the 49ers will have to be enough for this season because it's too late to add anyone who will be much of a difference-maker. I agree that the edge position, opposite of Nick Bosa, has mostly been a black hole during John Lynch's time. Leonard Floyd, the 49ers' big free agent addition, has only three sacks this season.
San Francisco will have to address this in the offseason, but they may not have much money to spend on a big free agent. Can they find someone in next year's draft? Andy mentioned two players, Drake Jackson and Robery Beal, Jr., who have not worked out yet. Jackson was a high draft pick (second round) and has been very disappointing. I don't think I'd call Beal, Jr. a bust since he was drafted in the fifth round. But he hasn't done much himself. In 13 career games, Beal, Jr. has one sack and one QB hit. That's exactly one more than me...and probably you.
How come Fred Warner never gets heat? It feels like he was off on at least two of the Bucs' TD plays. Yes, he is good at times, but he does miss quite a few times, as well, but that is hardly ever heard. - Stefan A.
When Fred Warner makes a mistake or has a bad game, he gets a pass because he's the best linebacker in the NFL. Yes, he makes mistakes from time to time. He misses tackles occasionally and sometimes picks the wrong gap to hit. It's not like he's Jake Moody, an unproven player who missed three field goals. He's a proven All-Pro who has earned the right to get a pass when he makes a mistake. And guys like Warner know they messed up long before you and I do. Warner is harder on himself than we ever could be, and he's always accountable for his mistakes. That's why Warner never gets heat when he messes up.
We're still not playing like the YAC Bros of previous seasons, we seem to be playing a bit deeper and pretty limited YAC. Is this the right change for Brock? The Niners? Are we likely to go back to YAC being a thing? - SportyMiner
Shanahan's playcalling has looked a little different this season. There are times when he gets back to the creative, short, YAC (yards after catch) game that the 49ers are famous for. But he's also done some different things this season.
One reason is how defenses are playing the 49ers. Another reason is injuries. But it also seems like some of their weapons, namely Deebo Samuel, aren't breaking tackles like they normally do. But that's one of the ways defense can slow down this San Francisco attack.
In the '80s and '90s, for example, the 49ers had problems with defenses that tackled well and prevented YAC. Joe Montana and Steve Young became Hall of Famers by throwing mostly short to intermediate, well-timed, accurate passes to guys like Jerry Rice and John Taylor. Those quarterbacks would hit the player in stride and allow them to pick up a lot of yardage after the catch.
Brock Purdy was excellent at that in his first two seasons. This year, he's missed some throws. He's also had receivers missing time due to injury, and some of the timing hasn't been quite right, as a result. If they can correct some of those issues, the YAC Brothers will be back. Getting McCaffrey back will be a big boost, too.
That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. Thanks again for all your questions. We'll be back with a new one next week.