It’s been a rough go of it the last two games for the San Francisco 49ers defense. Last week, it was 46 points and 524 yards to the Panthers. This week it was 37 points and 418 yards to the Seahawks.
Here’s a crazy stat provided by the Fox broadcast: Prior to Week 2, in 971 straight games, the 49ers had not allowed a pair of 100-yard receivers and a 100-yard rusher in the same game.
Now, in just two weeks of time, the 49ers have surrendered that exact feat. Twice.
Panthers Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen and Fozzy Whittaker each gashed the 49ers last week for 100-plus; Doug Baldwin, Jimmy Graham and Christine Michael accomplished it for the Seahawks.
The scary part for the 49ers has to do with their run defense. Both Whittaker and Michael are backups and were still able to carve through the frontline. It’s barely talked about, but the 49ers are clearly missing Ian Williams in the middle of the defense as the nose tackle. Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner have taken a small step back after their exciting Week 1 performances against the Rams.
Defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s scheme has a history of struggling against the run. The Browns finished 30th against the run in 2015 and 32nd in 2014. Next week the defense will have to defend Ezekiel Elliot, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. The 49ers have better personnel than O’Neil had in Cleveland, though, and scheme issues cannot be used as an excuse if this slippage continues.
Obviously, both Carolina and Seattle are both Super Bowl contenders. But this 49ers defense was supposed to be the backbone of the team. It wouldn’t have mattered with how bad Blaine Gabbert has played, but San Francisco’s defense has not played up to their expectations after a 28-0 shutout against Los Angeles.
There were four standouts. Eric Reid led the 49ers with 12 tackles, while backup linebacker Nick Bellore secured in an interception in the fourth quarter. Ahmad Brooks and Glenn Dorsey registered sacks.
H/T to Niners Nation