The San Francisco 49ers defense is allowing 106.1 rushing yards per game heading into their Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, ranking 12th in the NFL. They are also giving up 4.3 yards per carry, tied for 16th league-wide, and would love to bring that average down.
San Francisco has surrendered more than 100 rushing yards in nine games this season, including each of the past two. Last week against the Tennessee Titans, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's unit allowed 136 yards on the ground, with much of the damage coming late.
That issue is in the spotlight heading into the matchup against the Colts, who feature one of the league's most productive running backs in Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has rushed for 1,443 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.
On Friday, Saleh addressed his run defense and what must improve down the stretch.
"There has been some good, some bad," Saleh said. "Didn't like the way we finished last week. I take responsibility for that fourth quarter. We're up three scores with nine minutes to go, playing more pass defense than run defense, and I think they got about 57 yards on that last drive and a little over 50 yards in the run game. But it's definitely got to be firmer."
The challenge won't end with the Colts. The 49ers close the regular season against the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks—two more teams capable of punishing defenses on the ground. Indianapolis ranks sixth in the NFL at 4.8 yards per rush, while Chicago averages 4.9 yards per attempt, fourth-best in the league.
"Every week is a challenge," Saleh admitted. "Obviously, all three teams—if you throw Seattle in that mix—they're very good at running the football. So, every game you go into, you've got to be able to stop the run.
"You've got to be able to try to make teams one-dimensional, but it's especially true this week with Jonathan Taylor and their offensive line, and the way they do things. They're pretty darn good at running the football, and we've got to be good."
While improving run defense is one of many goals in the remaining games, Saleh stressed that the ultimate goal is winning—not chasing stat-sheet benchmarks. A win over the Colts would clinch a playoff berth for San Francisco.
"I gave up on yardage a long time ago," Saleh said. "It's about winning football games, keeping points down, doing whatever you can from a schematic standpoint and a play-calling standpoint to make sure that the other team's not in the end zone. And if it means you give up yards, then so be it."