3 things to watch for in 49ers/Titans: There’s 1 key for Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy on offense
The San Francisco 49ers are refreshed following their bye week. The defense could return defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, which is a welcome sight for a pass rush that can use all the help it can get down the stretch. Meanwhile, the offense is as healthy as it can be minus Brandon Aiyuk and ready to roll for the final four games and the playoff run. The only real question heading into Week 15 will be the MIKE linebacker spot, as Tatum Bethune and the new practice squad addition failed to practice on Wednesday, which would mean Curtis Robinson would start again if neither can play against Tennessee.
Where are the advantages for the 49ers against the Titans on Sunday? Let’s look at the three things to watch for on Sunday:
The Titans’ preferred personnel package
Even with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center, the Titans lead the NFL in 11 personnel usage at 73.2%. Two of the starting wide receivers in the three-receiver set are rookies. The Titans pair Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike with veteran Van Jefferson. Dike has come on of late, but between the two rookies, the pair has a combined 64 receptions. Jefferson has added 23 catches.
The 49ers have faced 11 personnel groupings at a 62.7% rate, the seventh-highest in the NFL. Rookie nickel cornerback will be on the field a ton, and the 49ers won’t be in base much, if at all. Rookie nickel cornerback Upton Stout will have to be solid in both run and coverage defense. The 49ers rank 25th in defensive EPA against 11 personnel at 0.25. Luckily, the Titans rank dead last in EPA/play at -0.17.
The Titans’ defense struggles against motion
One thing is for sure, and two things are certain: the 49ers offense will utilize pre-snap motion. Only the Miami Dolphins (wonder where that came from) use motion more than the 49ers. At 67.8%, Kyle Shanahan and the offense use motion to identify coverages pre-snap, create mismatches, and create angles in the run game. Now, the 49ers will have to monitor Kyle Juszczyk’s status throughout the week, as he is the primary motion player, but even in his absence, the 49ers will still motion players all over the field.
The Titans are the second-worst defense against motion with an EPA of 0.18. While facing motion only 53.9% of the time (18th in the NFL), the advantage here goes to the 49ers and their offense.
Passing in the intermediate portion of the field
It’s not a secret where the 49ers like to live in their passing game. It seems every week, opposing defenses struggle covering intermediate passes. This week is no different, as the Titans are dead last in intermediate defensive EPA at 0.71. Meanwhile, the 49ers are 8th in the NFL with an EPA of 0.52 on intermediate throws.
George Kittle and Jauan Jennings should have a grand old time on Sunday.
