The 9-4 San Francisco 49ers look to remain hot as they return home fresh off their bye week to take on the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are coming off their second win of the season, and although they're having a losing season, they continue to play hard.
The 49ers control their destiny as they look to improve to 10-4 and finish first in the Conference. If they want continued success, they must stick to this week's Keys To Victory.
Run the Ball
The 49ers must resume running the ball efficiently against the 18th-ranked run defense. The Titans have allowed 122.5 yards per game this season. Coaches Bobby Turner and Kyle Shanahan must exploit the run defense with the outside zone, using a combination of Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. Successful running will allow the offense to control the clock and keep the opposing team off the field. It will also help set up the play-action pass for quarterback Brock Purdy.
The 49ers average less than 100 yards per game on the ground, but this could be a massive week for McCaffrey and the run game coming off the bye. Run the ball, win the game.
Protect the QB
Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons leads the Titans' pass rush with eight sacks. The 49ers' offensive line must protect Purdy so that he can be efficient and take his timely shots down the field. Even though Purdy does a great job in avoiding the pass rush, the line has to be thorough in protecting him.
The Titans use a 3-4 defensive front, so expect their sack leader, Simmons, to match up against the 49ers' right guard, Dominick Puni. Puni has been outstanding lately. All season long, he's only allowed one sack out of 25 pressures.
If the 49ers can protect Purdy, the offense will have an explosive day. Protect the QB, win the game.
Make Cam Ward One-Dimensional
The 49ers must make Titans quarterback Cam Ward one-dimensional. They can do this by shutting down the Titans' run game. Expect running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears to have minimal gains against the 49ers' run defense.
Ward has a 59.1 completion percentage on the season with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Perhaps the 49ers' defense could add a few more interceptions to their tally.
If the defense can stop the run and make Cam Ward one-dimensional, they will help their team win the game and improve to 10-4
The 49ers are clearly making a push to be the best team in the NFC. To do so, it begins with their first of three home games, against the Titans. If the 49ers adhere to the keys to victory, they will remain among the top teams in the NFC, despite the adversity they have faced this season. That truly speaks to the resilience of the San Francisco 49ers.