The 49ers are at their worst when there’s a departure from a core offensive structure. Power is central to everything they do offensively, and it starts with the running backs and the equally powerful run blocking in front of them.
Combined the two San Francisco running backs were given 16 carries Sunday, and they were averaging 21 per game prior to Week 9. That may seem like only a minor game-planning detour if it were any other opponent and any other defense. But the Rams entered this week with the league’s 31st-ranked run defense, allowing 144.3 rushing yards per game and 4.7 per carry.
Still Gore and Hyde watched for much of the game, even when it mattered most.
Even if they’re not hammering away for significant gains, power running backs are still being productive when fed the ball consistently. A primary function is slowing down aggressive pass-rushers, which was desperately needed Sunday afternoon.
The Rams pass rush teed off on Kaepernick repeatedly, highlighting the vulnerability of a 49ers offensive line that was already struggling and is now dealing with the loss of center Daniel Kilgore.
Kaepernick was sacked a career-high eight times, one of which ended in a fumble that gifted the Rams a touchdown and life at the end of a first half when they were otherwise dominated.
Throughout league history there have only been 20 games when a quarterback was sacked at least eight times, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. Kaepernick’s Week 9 beating now puts him on that exclusive list alongside legendary names like J.T. O’Sullivan,Kevin Kolb and John Beck.
Facing a historically painful volume of pressure is even worse when we consider that, well, it was the Rams.
Between defensive end Robert Quinn and freakishly athletic rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the Rams’ front four offers plenty to be scared about. However, despite that talent they've struggled to get pressure this season. Opposing offenses have minimized pass-rushing opportunities by either a) running the ball down up the gut or b) focusing on short passes and getting the ball out more quickly.
The 49ers did neither, and by the end of the first half the Rams had equaled their sack total on the season.
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