2019 Record - 13-3-0
Head Coach - Kyle Shanahan
New Players in 2020 - Trent Williams (OL), Joe Walker (LB), Travis Benjamin (WR), Tom Compton (OL), Kerry Hyder (DL)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Shon Coleman (OL), Jake Brendel (OL)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 3,978 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard are vying for the backup spot.
The running backs are Raheem Mostert (772 yards, 5.6 ypc average and eight TD) and Tevin Coleman, who gained 544 yards rushing with six touchdowns. All-Pro tight end George Kittle led the team with 85 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns.
The wide receiving corps has Deebo Samuel (57, 802, three TD), Trent Taylor, Chris Thompson and rookie draft pick Brandon Alyuk (Arizona State). Travis Benjamin signed from the Los Angeles Chargers, but is currently listed on the injury reserve/opt-out list.
San Francisco averaged 29.9 points per game last season (second in NFL) while finishing fourth in total offense with 381 yards per game. The rushing attack was second in the league, averaging 144 yards per game.
DEFENSE - Defensive ends Nick Bosa (nine QB sacks) and Arik Armstead (ten sacks) lead the front charge, along with Dee Ford, who registered 6 1/2 sacks. Top rookie pick Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina) will likely start at one of the tackle spots. Linebackers include Kwon Alexander, Fred Warner and Dee Greenlaw.
The secondary is in good hands with corners Richard Sherman (three interceptions, one for TD) and Ahkello Witherspoon while Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris are the safeties. Reserve cornerback K'Waun Williams had two interceptions last season.
The 49ers had the top pass defense in the NFL last year, only allowing 169 passing yards per game while picking off twelve passes and getting 48 sacks. They allowed 282 yards per game, which ranked second overall while giving up 19.4 points per game.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - After winning their first eight games last season, the 'Niners cruised home with the NFC West title and made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan is entering his fourth season with the team and last season's big leap forward has definitely raised the bar for the team.
Garoppolo (two INT) took some heat for his decision making in the Super Bowl loss, especially the second half when the 49ers coughed up the lead. For the 49ers to avoid the let down of being the Super Bowl runner up, they have to maintain the defensive excellence of last year and look for the passing game to be more consistent.
There is pretty good balance on offense and San Francisco showed they can run the football, but they must also protect the quarterback, having allowed 36 sacks last season. Garoppolo has to spread the ball around more this season as Kittle was the main target and only one other receiver had more than 50 receptions.
The 49ers should be a playoff team again, but this will be a very different season around the NFL and they can ill afford to have players going on the non football injury/COVID-19 list during the season. If the offense can step up the passing game and the defense shows they mean business once again, look for another playoff appearance.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - at N.Y. Jets
Week Three - at N.Y. Giants
Week Four - vs. Philadelphia
Week Five - vs. Miami
Week Six - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Seven - at New England
Week Eight - at Seattle
Week Nine - vs. Green Bay
Week Ten - at New Orleans
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at L.A. Rams
Week Thirteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Fourteen - vs. Washington
Week Fifteen - at Dallas
Week Sixteen - at Arizona
Week Seventeen - vs. Seattle
No comments:
Post a Comment