Patriots RBs vs 49ers Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots rushing offense is averaging 112.4 yards per game and should easily best that mark on Sunday afternoon. LeGarrette Blount leads the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns and 678 yards rushing. He and James White have done a good job of keeping the offense balanced in 2016, something that was sorely lacking a year ago.
The Niners run defense is awful. They are allowing an average of 180.4 yards per game and have allowed seven RBs to rush for 100+ yards this season including career highs for Fozzy Whitaker, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Christine Michael, who just released by the Seahawks after the Pats game.
Look for the Patriots to run Blount at least 20 times left behind Nate Solder and Joe Thuney this week and attack the Niners porous 3-4 front seven. San Francisco did do a great job last week in Arizona and held the Cards to just 80 yards rushing. David Johnson ran for just 55 yards on 19 attempts. But the Patriots have too many weapons even without Rob Gronkowski this week. An interesting subplot to watch is if Dion Lewis plays this week.
Patriots WRs vs 49ers Secondary – Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots passing game presents a big challenge for a team that doesn’t get after the QB particularly well or force many turnovers. Tom Brady can spread the ball around to too many receivers for the Niners to cover. Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola will work the short routes while Chris Hogan, [if he’s healthy this week], and Malcolm Mitchell can work the intermediate and deep areas of the field. Martellus Bennett will be used in both the short areas on delayed releases and attack the seams.
DeForrest Buckner will be the guy to watch for the Niners pass rush this week, Arik Armistead was placed on IR last week and they’ll miss his presence down the stretch. The Niners pass defense isn’t much better against the pass than they are against the run. The playmakers are the linebackers but they’ll be tested by both Bennett at TE or White at LB. Again, hoping that we see Lewis for a few snaps this week.
Niners CBs Jimmie Ward and Trumaine Brock are decent enough corners but will have their hands full with the wide receivers. Look for Brady to spread the ball around this week and getting everyone involved. The running game should open up play-action passing for Brady this week.
Next up the San Francisco offense:
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
