49ers RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge San Francisco
The Niners run the ball well and average 119.6 yards per game. Carlos Hyde is their workhorse back. He’s been injured but did play last week although he was pretty limited physically. DuJuan Harris filled in, while Hyde was out and played well. Kaepernick is always a threat to run the ball too and is effective. He’s fast enough to get to the edges and make opponents pay.
The Patriots run defense was a bit disappointing last week. Although Seattle ran for 96 yards on 26 carries [3.7-yard average], it was far above their average on the season and the surprising production of C.J. Prosise was a big boost for the Seattle offense. The Patriots interior defensive linemen, Malcom Brown and Alan Branch weren’t at their best. Linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Elandon Roberts were inconsistent as well.
The Niners with the three-headed monster of Hyde, Harris, and Kaepernick should have some success running the football. But if Brady and the offense click the way we think it will, it will be hard for the Niners to stick with it.
49ers WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
The Niners passing game has gotten better with the switch from Blaine Gabbert to Kaepernick and the threat of him running is always a consideration for the defense. And we know, the Patriots always have troubles with QBs that can run. Chip Kelly hit all the right buttons a year ago. After falling behind, 14-0 when coaching the Eagles in Foxboro, he rattled off five straight touchdowns and won a big game 35-28.
The Patriots and Bill Belichick remember that game well and he said he expects Kelly to attack many of the same areas that he did last year. The Patriots had a ton of breakdowns in that game, as they did last week against the Seahawks. They’ll have to tighten things up a lot this week. Seeing how they respond, will be a major storyline this week.
Two areas to watch, who will be the slot corner this week and who draws TE Vance McDonald? Jeremy Kerley has had good success since coming over to the Niners early this year and should be a frequent target of Kaepernick. He leads the team in receiving with 40 catches and three touchdowns. The Patriots have mixed things up with their 2nd and 3rd corners with Logan Ryan, Eric Rowe, and Justin Coleman.
Look for Pat Chung to draw McDonald who has become a playmaker for the Niners offense. Although he’s caught just 15 passes, he’s averaging18.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns. Those two players plus the scrambling of Kaepernick will be the keys for the Niners and the Patriots to stop.
Special Teams- Razor’s Edge San Francisco
The Patriots special teams had an uneven game on Sunday. Stephen Gostkowski seems to have solidified his earlier kicking woes and made all three extra points and a field goal last week. He did have one kickoff go out of bounds but this week, he’ll probably be looking to boot it out of the end zone. Ryan Allen has been solid as had the coverage units. The return game with Cyrus Jones showed signs of life but he put the ball on the ground once and had another called back due to penalty.
The Niners have gotten some great production in the kick return game from JaCorey Sheppard with three returns of 30+ yards in recent weeks. Phil Dawson is as reliable as they come in the kicking department. The underrated and under-appreciated kicker is looking to be the ninth kicker in NFL history to make 400 field goals. His next will get him there and he’ll be the most accurate of the kickers to make it. Bradley Pinion is solid as the team’s punter. The coverage units do a good job but have the occasional breakdown.
Next up, who wins and why…
Support Steve and buy him a coffee.
Support Us: Help Us Compete Against The Corporate Media Giants
We need your help. If you enjoy our content, please help us beat Google's Corporate algorithm by adding us as a preferred source on Google News.
Click the button below and check the box next to "PatsFans.com"
Add as a preferred source on Google News
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)
