Revenge really is sweet!
I don’t remember the last time I felt so much relief after a game. Honestly the ONLY thing that would be the cherry on top, is a Super Bowl ring at the end of the season.
As long as the Niners stay healthy, that should be exactly how the 2023 season will end.
Not only did I need this win to start my week off on a positive note, but I am currently losing fantasy due to my QB’s getting injured or having not so bring coaches doing some sketchy play calls.
San Francisco’s Redemption Day
But let’s focus on the “W”. The game everyone was waiting to see. The true test of the “what if” scenario that almost never comes around again.
January 29, 2023 was a horrid day for San Francisco players and fans. We lost to Philadelphia after losing our 4th string QB and a few key players on both sides of the ball.
And there was a lot of trash talk in the off-season and leading up to the game. For San Francisco there was a lot to prove, especially now that the entire team is healthy.
And prove they did. 42-19. Dominant and decisive.
Slow Starts and True Colors
The start of the game was slow for San Francisco. This was likely due to the psychological factor of the environment (not playing at home and intense Eagles fan base), outside media chatter and predictions, last year’s loss, and Philly still the top seed in the NFC.
Just so we are clear. Philadelphia is a good team. Personally I think they were playing better quality football last year. This year Philly has been slower to start and not as dynamic. They are winning games, but not by much.
And no I am not being biased. If in fact both the Niners and the Eagles had the same record, by point differential, Niners would definitively seed higher than the Eagles.
Since that is a hypothetical scenario, let me break it down to you using the sequence of the game.
The first quarter belonged to the Eagles, no doubt. BUT… they only scored 6 points and both drives down the field into the red zone converted to a touchdown. In any match up between two juggernaut teams each drive should yield actual touchdown scores.
Especially with Philadelphia playing a team that was gunning for them since last season.
The Eagles defensive plan at the start showed they could contain the Niners. The running game was slow. Purdy couldn’t quite get set for any pass that was 10+ yards. And check down plays were immediately tackled in the backfield for a loss of downs.
The Adjustments
In the first quarter, I kept trying to figure out what type of play the Niners offense could run that would be successful and wouldn’t lead to a 3 & out. As I saw the defense and how tightly they packed the line, it dawned on me that the offense should run designed release plays or very shallow quick routes right behind the defensive front line.
Low and behold, Kyle Shanahan started calling plays that did just that. Thus, San Francisco’s offense came alive. And as a long time student and lover of the game itself, I expected Philadelphia to have an answer.
However, clearly as they have shown in previous competitive match ups, they did not adjust in a 10-1 record fashion. In their match-ups between Dallas, Kansas City and Buffalo, all top rated teams going into this season, they barely came away with wins. In my opinion, the Chiefs and the Bills do not have as talented of a team on both sides of the ball in comparison to Philly. Therefore those wins should have been more definitive.
And seeing as those teams are all at the top and San Francisco has decimated both the Eagles and the Cowboys, if it comes down to Super Bowl match-ups, San Francisco is favorited to win.
Of course that would be my dream. But the season is not over yet. There are still some things San Francisco can always improve upon.
As Strong as the Weakest Link
The Niners still struggled with a quarterback that is mobile in the pocket, such as Jalen Hurts. However, for as long as I have played and watched football and studied all the rule changes and modifications… I believe offensive holding is STILL offensive holding.
One disadvantage to having a mobile QB is that when they start to run, inadvertently the offense may cause penalties for holding or illegal men downfield. In the case of this game, from where I watched there was a lot of holding…right in front of the referee… and there was no call on Philly.
Granted I could go into a whole thesis on the inadequacy and sketchiness that is the business of reffing professional sports. But, refs are not things that teams can control.
Containment
So what can you control? Again, we go back to how to contain a mobile quarterback. Because San Francisco has such a fast pass rush, a smart quarterback like Jalen Hurts will use that against them. Bet you never thought speed could be a disadvantage huh?
Here is why, when you rush fast and in a tight formation, the sheer momentum might either carry you past the quarterback or (if anyone remembers high school physics) the slightest disruption on a trajectory can dramatically change the path the rush is taking. So a small bump from the offensive line might throw off the quick pass rush enough that they may run into traffic or have to stop all their 290+ lbs bodies on a dime and change direction when the quarterback moves.
In cases when San Francisco has been successful with mobile quarterbacks is when their pass rush sets the edge of space the quarterback has to roll from side to side. By rushing wider and maybe even delayed, which you can do with stunts or just plain positioning, it boxes the quarterback in the middle of the field.
The middle is like driving in LA on the 405 during traffic hour. So it would be significantly harder for a quarterback to escape and run up the middle of the field because they would eventually run into the linebackers. And San Francisco has the fastest and most physical linebackers in the league.
Upcoming Challenges
I appreciated, like many true fans and how many analysts pointed out, that overall this was a clean game. It wasn’t sloppy. There were not any turn overs by either team. It was just a straight boxing match with the better and stronger fighter coming out on top.
Looking ahead, while Philadelphia may have the harder schedule, I am praying the Niners:
- Stay healthy
- Don’t drop their skill level
- Continue to win
Philadelphia plays Dallas next and San Francisco plays Seattle again. So it will be a great division matchup that will have a lot of playoff seeding effects depending on the outcomes.
Be sure to catch the matchup between New England and Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 14.
2 responses
Niners defensive secondary needs to be better. Period. I’m sick of all these PI or holding calls because receivers beat them on their routes.
Ray Ray needs to be better – try running up the field rather than east/west on punt/kickoff returns. Zig zag gives us no yards whatsoever.
Jake Moody – you have 1 job. Never screw it up – thanks.
Refs need to be better – call those “hug” holding calls on Bosa. I know he’s a cuddly bear but call it it dang it. And try calling false starts once in awhile. Lane Johnson was tap dancing before the ball was snapped like 70% of the game. Come on refs – be better – make better choices.
Seriously Moody still makes me nervous. Like, no offense, I LOVE Jimmy G…even though he is not as attractive in silver and black… but I am glad Purdy can throw TD’s and not have to settle for as many FG’s.
Well if Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid can complain, then I want to complain that the refs never call holding for Bosa and false starts on ANY team against the Niners.
Yes Nicole you were right… Lenior does WAY better at nickel back.