How the 49ers’ Defense Needs to Play Against Patrick Mahomes

Not too many teams get a chance at revenge the ensuing season following a Super Bowl loss. Well, that is exactly what the San Francisco 49ers are getting in Week 7. They have a prime opportunity to exact revenge against the Kansas City Chiefs for their heartbreak eight months ago. However, it isn’t going to be easy. The Chiefs are an undefeated juggernaut right now despite numerous key injuries. It hasn’t caused them to slow down. One reason for that is because of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He may not be lighting up the stat sheet, but he is still a fearful quarterback to play against. There are specific ways that the 49ers’ defense needs to play against him. If not, Mahomes is going to gash them all game long.

How the 49ers’ Defense Needs to Play against Patrick Mahomes

The obvious answer is getting pressure. The 49ers’ defense needs to generate pressure to make Mahomes uncomfortable. However, that is going to be tough for the 49ers to do. Usually, they would like to sit back in coverage and allow their defensive line to go to work. But their defensive line outside of Nick Bosa hasn’t been greatly impactful. Blitzing is how the 49ers have managed to increase their pressure rate, but that isn’t advisable against Mahomees. According to Next Gen Stats, Mahomes has been blitzed on a league-low 19.4 percent of dropbacks this season, and with good reason. Mahomes leads the NFL in dropback success rate (68.4 percent) against the blitz by a significant margin (next closest: Lamar Jackson, 61.7 percent).

Blitzing is scary

The 49ers are aware that blitzing him isn’t ideal. They didn’t utilize it too much in Super Bowl LVIII. Mahomes was blitzed on just 14.3 percent of dropbacks by the 49ers’ defense in the Super Bowl. The 49ers’ first blitz of the game occurred at the 5:24 mark of the third quarter after having gone the entire game, sending four pass rushers on every dropback. So, the 49ers always want to generate pressure with their defensive line. It’s just that they might not be able to, given their defensive line is weaker than in the Super Bowl. If they can’t get to him by rushing four, then they will have to call more blitzes. Still, it is ill-advisable to do so. Mahomes has been sacked on just 3.7 percent of his dropbacks against the blitz since 2018. That’s the lowest rate among the same group of 45 quarterbacks and one spot ahead of Tom Brady (4.2 percent).

The solution

If the 49ers want to blitz, then they need to be very selective. Calling it at the wrong time will allow Mahomes to make magic happen via scrambling. That is what the 49ers must avoid. It’s not just about keeping the edges contained for Mahomes. The most important element for the 49ers’ defense is maintaining gap control at the interior. Mahomes isn’t a fast quarterback despite having amazing scrambling ability. He thrives when the pass rushers run straight upfield past him. That leaves him open running lanes in the middle for him to take or step up and throw. There needs to be a strong emphasis from the 49ers on the interior. Otherwise, they will put their secondary in a compromised position. They have the secondary to hold up well against their receivers. Force Mahomes to hold the ball so the pass rush can get there or he can make a mistake. This is the best way for the 49ers’ defense to make it a favorable one. Limit the blitzing and maintain interior gap control so that Mahomes is restricted.

Main Image: Joe Nicholson – USA Today Sports

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