Barring a collapse of epic proportions, the 49ers are going to be in the playoffs.
If the postseason were to start today, San Francisco would head to Tampa Bay for a matchup vs. the Bucs. That wouldn’t be a great matchup for the 49ers according to Greg Cosell, due in large part to their stout run defense.
A division rival would be much more welcome.
“Arizona is a team that the Niners are very familiar with because they are in the same division,” Cosell said. “Arizona’s run defense has not been very good of late.”
In fact, the Cardinals’ run defense is the worst among NFC teams slated to make the playoffs, allowing 4.6 yards per carry. Arizona is also in a bit of a free fall, now tied record-wise with Dallas and Tampa Bay thanks to an absolute stinker of a performance vs. Detroit last weekend. The Cowboys are currently allowing 4.5 yards per carry while Packers, who are the top seed, are allowing the same.
“I think the key for the Niners, is they must be able to run the ball with some kind of volume. If they can run with volume, I believe the production will be relatively there. Production is a relative term. You don’t have to run for 170 yards to have production, but they need to be able to run with volume. They need to be able to feel that their run game can dictate certain things that they then can do. If that can’t happen, it probably puts too much pressure on (Jimmy) Garoppolo.”
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