Myth Busters - 49ers Offensive Edition
After eight season of futility, the 49ers have locked up a playoff berth for the third straight season. As we get ready for the final week of the 2013 regular season let's take a look at 3 common myth's about the 49ers offense.
1) "The 49ers have play clock issues"
While it is true that the 49ers rank 29th in the NFL with 8 delay of game penalties, one must look a little deeper for the cause and effect on the offense.
Of those 8 delay of game penalties, 2 actually are on the punt team letting the clock run down, and 2 others have come as the result of the 49ers trying to draw the defense offside in 4th and short situations.
Dig a little deeper and you will find that those 6 delay of game penalties on the offense did little to keep the offense from scoring on the drive. The 49ers have scored on 3 of those drives, 1 touchdown and 2 field goals. Before blaming the delay penalties on forcing them to settle for field goals, it should be noted that on both of those occasions the delay of game came early in the drives and had no effect on the end result.
"But they use so many timeouts to keep from getting penalties" you say, and you are right to an extent. Those often happen in the first half of games when those timeouts are less important to the outcome of the game.
2) "They won't be successful in the playoffs if can't score touchdowns in the red zone"
Through the first 15 weeks of the season the 49ers have scored touchdowns on 58% of their trips to the red zone. That is the 5th highest percentage in the NFL, and the highest among NFC teams that are currently in the playoffs.
3) "The 49ers offense is so predictable with Gore. You know he is running it up the middle"
On the season, 57% of Frank Gore's runs have been outside the tackles. That is the 3rd highest percentage of all backs in the league and trails only Mike Tolbert and DeAngelo Williams of Carolina, both are part time backs and going into week 16, Gore had 35 more attempts than the two combined.
This stat should not come as a shock to anyone. The 49ers bread and butter running play is the Power O, an off tackle play in which the fullback kicks out the end man on the line of scrimmage and the backside guard pulls around to lead the back through the hole.
If you fall into the category of those who believe these myth's to be true, never fear. You're not alone.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
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Patrick
All that is great to hear, however... We have played 4 teams who are (may) all going to the playoffs and lost to all of them. Saints, Colts, Panthers and the Seahawks. we lost to all of these teams and although the losses all came before we caught fire but still is an issue to me. These are teams we will have to find ways to beat if we are going to do something special this year. Most important we will have to find a way to beat the Seahawks in Seatle, that is something that we need to be able to do. If we can't win against good teams then what kind of team do we have?
Dec 27, 2013 at 8:36 AM
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Gonzola
I would say they will not be successful if they can not score touchdowns period. Taking time off the clock and coming up with ONLY a field goal is not good enough. Praying that the defense will save you is not good enough. Up the middle is no problem as long as you are gaining yards. Going from an average 6-7 yards per carry to 2-3 yards per carry running the SAME play over and over does not seem like the smart thing to do. How about mixing it up a little? I like Roman's run plays... but as far as balanced offense the 49ers have none of that unless Kappy starts calling his own plays and gets OUT of the pocket. Who cares about the play clock when you win? I am waiting for the game when they burn all those precious time outs and then it is down by 4 points, 1st and 10 on your own 20 yard line and only one timeout with 1 minute 20 seconds on the game clock... that is what bothers most of us used to game strategy. But then again with all the TV timeouts and ludicrous "fouls" called in the games now - who really needs REAL timeouts? So Merry Christmas and here is to hoping we beat the Cards... GO NINERS!
Dec 25, 2013 at 12:54 PM
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Ladale
Umm, Well how about that. Nice bit if info.
Dec 24, 2013 at 11:56 PM
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Gonzola
The 49ers broke my heart on Monday night. That game should have been 41 to 3 -- a 49ers blowout. The PLAYCALLING is BS -- Fans were turning around and yelling at the press-box with Roman locked securely inside. This ridiculous stifling of ultimate domination and awesomeness is going to be our DOWNFALL. Just because the Bears have always been losers Coach H doesn't mean that translates to us -- the 49ers! Have we adopted a Chicago Bears mentality when being mediocre and winning by 2 points is OK? I am tired... so tired. And ALL of this happened on Monday night in front of Eddie D???? We ought to be ashamed of ourselves. We were 1 play from losing the game and 2 plays from having to go to OT if our defense did not step in to save the day -- yet again? Field goals alone DO NOT win games. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhh. Go Niners!
Dec 24, 2013 at 7:16 PM
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