3 Keys to Victory for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 vs. Panthers
Through six weeks the 49ers have established themselves as one of the best teams in not only the NFC but also the NFL. Leading the division by a game and a half, and a 6-0 record commands respect from the rest of the league, however, doubters point out San Francisco's six opponents have 12 wins. While the team has benefited from inferior opponents, the schedule stiffens up on Sunday.
After starting the season 0-2 with starting quarterback Cam Newton on the mend, it looked like the Panthers season was virtually over. However, backup signal-caller Kyle Allen has created a controversy and won four games in a row. Linebacker Luke Kuechly and the defense as a whole are still playing at a high level as well, which makes the contest even more difficult for the Red and Gold.
If there are any doubts about the 49ers as a playoff contender, beating the Panthers will virtually erase any skepticism. In order to accomplish this, San Francisco needs to execute these three keys.
Make Kyle Allen beat you
As mentioned above, Allen has navigated Carolina through a four-game win streak. However, the quarterback’s play hasn’t exactly been top-notch.
Removing a strong performance against the Arizona Cardinals, that have a bottom-tier defense, the Texas A&M product averages 213 passing yards and a touchdown per game. Allen’s most redeeming quality is he doesn’t turn the ball over and as a result, he has zero interceptions on the year. While it has been working recently, he is more of a game manager than a quarterback who can carry the team.
At the end of the day, the focal point of the Panthers offense is running back Christian McCaffery. The Red and Gold need to do everything they can to take the game out of the dynamic playmaker’s hands and force Carolina to rely on someone else. Whether that’s putting two defenders on McCaffery at all times or loading up the box, the 49ers have to take the ball out of the runner’s hands and see if the young gunslinger can put the team on his back.
The Quick Passing Game
Two of the best players on the Panthers defense are linebacker Luke Kuechly and edge defender Brian Burns. The former has been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses for years, and the latter has emerged as an impressive young pass rusher. Getting the ball out quickly will help neutralize both of these players.
The All-Pro linebacker is hard to game plan for because he’s smart, quick and athletic. As an offensive coordinator, your best bet is to try and avoid Kuechly as much as possible. Screen passes and quick throws to the outside are two of the best ways to keep the ball away from him and neutralize his impact on the game.
The quick passing game will also slow down Brain Burns and the rest of Carolina’s pass rush. Within his draft class, the rookie ranks second in sacks and first in quarterback hits. Beyond Burns, the Panthers have a top-tier pass rush that includes: Gerald McCoy, Mario Addison, and Dontari Poe; so a quick release might be the best way to keep Jimmy Garappolo upright.
Not only does the quick game give San Francisco an opportunity to neutralize the strength of Carolina’s defense, but also an opportunity to get Emmanuel Sanders involved in the game. Like a toddler on Christmas, play-caller Kyle Shanahan should waste no time and start playing with his new toy.
Take care of the ball
Of course, the game plan is never to hand the ball to the defense, but against the Panthers, ball security is especially important. In the past two games, the Big Cats have forced 10 turnovers and coincidentally scored 71 points.
Ironically in both contests, the team has been outgained by a combined 201 yards, so clearly they benefit and are able to capitalize in short field situations.
In a sense, this key and the first one are tied together. If the Red and Gold can take care of the football and force the Panthers offense to sustain long drives, the city by the bay will continue celebrating an undefeated record. A relatively conservative game plan could go a long way this weekend.
