Five Questions the 49ers Need Clarity on When They Face the Jaguars

Much doubt was casted upon the San Francisco 49ers going into the Bye week.

Suffering three consecutive losses will do so. And because of that doubt, it creates a flurry of questions. Here are five questions the 49ers need clarity on when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Does Chase Young improve the pass rush?

The main attraction to watch when the 49ers face the Jaguars this week will be newly acquired pass rusher Chase Young. Getting to the quarterback has been mediocre for the 49ers considering how much they have invested there. 18 sacks is all they have to show for thus far. With Young in the fold, there is no longer any excuse as to why they cannot finish.

He currently leads the team in sacks with 5. His production alone should be felt, but his real benefit to the defense will be if he can also free up Nick Bosa and the rest. It needs to be a collective improvement for the pass rush. Not just a solo act from Young who gives them production. If he can do that, then he will have given the pass rush a massive boost.

Did Steve Wilks adjust the defense at all?

Former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman had a lot to say about defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Much of what he said detailed what was wrong with the 49ers defense and it is because of how Wilks is tinkering with it by adding his own wrinkles. Like the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and that is what Wilks has been doing. He was brought in to adjust and adapt to the 49ers defense -- not vice versa.

Now, Wilks is not 100 percent to blame for the defensive woes. Missed tackles, penalties, and failing to finish plays has been poor by the players. But some of that can be mitigated if the scheme is corrected. Wilks better have spent the Bye week studying the concepts the 49ers used in the last several years.

Were Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams badly missed?

Part of why the 49ers have been on a three game skid is due to missing Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. The performance against the Jaguars will indicate just how badly they were missed. Where I think they will prove to be most useful is in the running game. Samuel acts as a great decoy being the motion man to lightening up boxes since he demands attention.

That should make the run game more efficient along with the return of Williams who is a profound blocker. Perhaps the passing game is more polished up in their return too. That is where I think the difference will be between "missing them" and "badly missing them" against the Jaguars.

Will Christian McCaffrey continue to be ran into the ground?

Speaking of the running game, Christian McCaffrey has been an average runner of the football. He has been averaging roughly three yards per carry since the Cowboys game. Samuel and Williams were in that game, so their absence cannot be used as an excuse. What largely has been an issue I believe is how he is being ran into the ground. Eventually, it will take its toll even on the greatest of running backs.

The 49ers must not continue to do that. Reduce some of his carries and give them to Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell. Utilize McCaffrey more in space as a receiver to lighten up the beating he takes. It could allow him to find more success running the football. Regardless, his health will benefit the most by not running him into the ground.

Can Brock Purdy be trusted late in games?

Brock Purdy has played a large factor into the wins for the 49ers when they started 5-0. He also has played a major role in their three losses as well. The last two games in losses to the Vikings and Bengals are the most concerning. Late in the game, or right when the fourth quarter arrives, Purdy likes to give away the football. He has done so four times in the last two games and on back-to-back possessions as well.

Late game interceptions do significantly more damage to a team than early game ones. It makes it worse when one of those picks were in the red zone, which takes away points. I am not sure what the correct fix here. Perhaps that is who Purdy is, which means the rest of the team has to be better to live through those. With a tough matchup on the road against the Jaguars, this game can provide a bit of clarity as to who Purdy is late in games.