In a 40-10 blowout loss to the Cowboys last week, the 49ers gave up 501 total yards. They also surrendered two quick touchdowns that forced them to play from behind.
Now the 0-7 Niners head into Philadelphia to face a high-powered Eagles offense that is better than the Cowboys’ offense.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh knows his unit will have to play exceptionally well if the 49ers are going to have a shot at their first win. The offense, led by second-year quarterback Carson Wentz, ranks fifth in the league with 381 yards per game. The running game with LaGarrette Blount, is No. 4 in the NFL, at 131.7 yards per game.
“They’ve got a great scheme,” Saleh told reporters this week. “They’ve got a great scheme and they’ve got a heck of a group of players. Their quarterback is on fire. Their skill positions are really good, tight end is awesome. Then the back, Blount, he’s running very strong. He’s a very strong runner. Even the speed backs they have, the change-of-pace backs, they’ve got stuff to deal with also. Collectively, O-line, all of them, they’re really well coached. They’re humming right now, let’s put it that way.”
The Niners defense ranks just 28th in the NFL, giving up more than 393 yards per game.
One of the important factors in the performance of the San Francisco defense Sunday will be rookie middle linebacker Reuben Foster.
Back from injury, Foster didn’t have a great game against the Cowboys, taking over for the released NaVorro Bowman. But now Foster will be back for his second straight start and a chance to settle in and start showing what he can do. Saleh saw some good things from Foster last week, whom he calls “an elite talent” and a leader who will again be charged with calling plays.
Sports
“For a first game it was pretty good, especially calling plays and all that stuff,” Saleh said. “He’s missed six weeks. I don’t want to say there was a drop-off because I think he did really well. His reads were right. He got to his drops. He didn’t bust anything. He was really good communicating with the D-line and the back end, making sure everybody was aligned. I thought he did a good job. I think this week is very important for him, to take another step and continue to get better.”
But, the winless 49ers and Foster have a huge hurdle in the 6-1 Eagles. Oddsmakers have made Philadelphia a big favorite, by 12½ points.
Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. in the Bay Area.
