The San Francisco 49ers have lost three games in a row after starting the season 5-0, and last week they got a much-needed bye in order to recover and replenish themselves.
They have reason to be hopeful moving forward, as they’re getting healthier and will debut a new weapon: defensive end Chase Young, whom they acquired last week in a trade with the Washington Commanders.
San Francisco will have a challenging game this weekend when they head to Florida to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have won five games in a row and are clearly a rising power.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey said that this will be a statement game and that they need to win it, per NBC Sports.
“We got to win this one.”
CMC on Sunday’s matchup with the Jags pic.twitter.com/1sb9CwlVCt
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 9, 2023
One of the big reasons the 49ers have a three-game losing streak is because their defense, which had been vaunted last season and early this season, has regressed.
They have given up at least 400 yards of total offense in each of their last two games, including 452 yards in Week 7 to a Minnesota Vikings team that was without Justin Jefferson.
Some have pointed the finger at new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and Wilks will be moving down onto the field this week instead of doing his job upstairs in the booth.
Jacksonville has plenty of weapons, including rising young quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne, and wide receivers Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley.
The Niners need improved play from their QB, Brock Purdy, but McCaffrey is still leading the NFL in rushing yards, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be back this week after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.
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