Reel-to-Reel: The 49ers Run Game Was Crushed by the Minnesota Vikings
Well, that game didn't turn out so well.
We're nearing the midpoint in the 2023 season, and the San Francisco 49ers' hot start has become a frigid statue standing icy, blue, and numb.
Of course, the two losses have amplified the cries about the 49ers' offense to level eleven.
First and foremost, head coach Kyle Shanahan's system isn't a 'first read' or 'one read' offense. Anyone with half a brain should know that the first read in a pass progression is the first read for a reason: the play is designed for that route to be open. Why would we complain that a quarterback keys on the first read and completes the throw?
Second, the Minnesota Vikings' defense shut down the 49ers' ground game, holding running back Christian McCaffrey and the running back cadre to 65 total yards. Minnesota was swarming to the ball with near-perfect run fits, almost as if they did not care if they were wrong.
Below, you'll find a deeper look at a few of the problems in the run game, along with a positive play from Week 7. Click here to see more plays on my weekly X thread.
1st Quarter – 1st & 10 at the SF 37 (3:33)
As much as the zone run has taken over the NFL, there's still a need for old-school power and counter runs. These hard-nosed plays can lead to significant gains if a defense starts to stretch to stop an outside zone or has a poor run fit.
Shanahan has successfully used counter runs, such as '14/15 YF Counter' or 'F Stutter' for years. McCaffrey is adept at finding his way through a small lane for a 15 or 20-yard gain.
On the 49ers' second possession, Shanahan called in the '15 YF Counter.' As both teams settled at the line, Minnesota's defense showed a 35 weakside reduction front, an ideal defense for one of McCaffrey's signature long runs.
'14/15 YF Counter' attacks inside to off tackle on the weak side. There isn't a designated hole; the back could easily cut inside off the weak side guard if the gap were there, but like any play, there is a spot designed for the attack.
Purdy sent tight end Charlie Woerner in motion and called for the ball when Woerner was just outside George Kittle, the F receiver on the play.
Woerner had a full head of steam and stopped outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum. Typically, the second-pulling player on a counter should turn up the running lane for the linebacker. However, Kittle stayed parallel with the line, which seemed odd.
More importantly, McCaffrey got no help from left tackle Jaylon Moore and left guard Aaron Banks, who could not move defensive linemen Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry from the line. Both defensive linemen held their ground, which ultimately clogged the running lane for McCaffrey, forcing him to bounce to the right.
Indeed, the play gained six yards, but it was one of many where Minnesota's defensive line was far too stout for the 49ers offensive line.
2nd and 5 at the MIN 22 (:18)
In the same series, Shanahan went back to a counter run. Shanahan called in '16 Pop,' a single back power run with the ball just outside the red zone.
Like power, this play attacks inside to off-tackle on the strong side. However, instead of a fullback and guard pulling, 'Pop' instructs only the weak side guard to pull down the line, cut inside the strong side tackle, and take on the linebacker.
Yet again, the 49ers' offensive line could not drive Minnesota's defenders from the line, and the play went for no gain.
Center Jake Brendel did not stick his block, and defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy quickly shrugged Brendel away to make the tackle.
Right tackle Colton McKivitz has a critical responsibility on 16 Pop: clear a lane for the back. McKivitz got a good jump at the snap but tried to one-arm bully defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, who was not moved from his space.
3rd Quarter – 1st & 10 at the SF 36 (13:01)
Late in the game last week against Cleveland, Shanahan called' Toss 19 Box,' a play I had not seen in a long time, which resulted in a Jordan Mason touchdown. He called it again in Week 7 on the 49ers' fifth possession of the game.
'18/19 Box' attacks the perimeter on the strong side, with the running back stretching to the outside hip of the tight end. His job is to secure the ball and get downhill quickly.
After breaking the huddle, Purdy sent wide receiver Jauan Jennings in a fly motion to have the offense settle in a West Left Close formation.
The 49ers' offensive line blocked terrible play from when Purdy received the ball from Brendel. Moore got an initial shove on defensive lineman Dean Lowry, the only actual contact any 49er lineman made on a defender.
Unfortunately, Moore's shove placed Lowry in a better position to make a play.
Is anyone else now humming the opening lines to Pearl Jam’s ‘Animal?’
As you can see, five Minnesota defenders were pursuing McCaffrey, who only had two teammates in front of him trying to block.
It certainly felt like Minnesota's defensive strategy was to ultimately sell out for the run and deal with any negative fallout later. Their run fits were nearly flawless, and their defensive line manhandled the 49ers' front five most of the game.
4th Quarter – 2nd & 1 at the SF 41 (15:00)
The hot takes about Shanahan's offense after a loss land somewhere between clueless and lazy. There's never a peep from the gallery when the offense is humming. But after two losses, the asylum gates open, and the lunacy begins.
Here are the facts about any pass play at any level of football. An individual play will have a receiver it wants to target, which might vary depending on coverage or a blitz. A quarterback will read his progressions in various ways: high to low, left to right, a hot route if there's a blitz or an alert if the defense gets wildly confused.
Shanahan's system, like any other offense, has its primary reads. It is not, however, a one-read offense.
One great example that disproves an already insane narrative was at the 15-minute mark of the 4th quarter. The 49ers were down by 8 points and needed to capitalize. Shanahan called in a pass play where wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk ran a 13-yard out, and Kittle ran a high cross.
Minnesota dropped into a 3-deep, 3-under zone coverage at the snap and sent five to rush Purdy. Safety Harrison Smith held up in the flat, and defensive back Byron Murphy Jr. dropped into the zone, bracketing Aiyuk on his route.
That left the middle of the field and a spot behind Murphy's zone open for Kittle on the high cross. You'll also note McCaffrey ran what looked like a choice route, giving Purdy an outlet if needed. However, Purdy read through his progressions and dropped the ball into Kittle for an 18-yard gain.
Coming into Week 7, I thought the 49ers would have had the rage of an exploding star in their bellies and ultimately dismantled the Minnesota Vikings. But there is something off in all three phases of the game. The defense seems to be guessing, the offense lacks consistency, and the special teams play is non-existent.
Good teams find a way to reset and bounce back, and a home game before going into a bye week is an ideal time for a victory.
All images and videos courtesy of NFL.com.
All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference unless noted.