He’s facing a Buccaneers defense that has allowed just 19.2 points per game, 3.7 yards per carry and 4 rushing touchdowns this season. It’s a stout defense with Pro Bowler Vita Vea, who’s as good as any defensive tackle in the NFL. He’s nearly 350 pounds and extremely difficult to move, so running against the Buccaneers
Fortunately for Shanahan and the 49ers, they faced a similar defense last week. The Jaguars came into that Week 10 game against the 49ers with a top-10 defense and a top-tier run D. And Shanahan still found a way to hang 34 points on them. The same approach should work this week against the Buccaneers.
Instead of running Christian McCaffrey into a brick wall 20-25 times in this game, Shanahan should give him 15 carries and call 10 passes for him instead. Get him the ball on the perimeter, away from Vea. Throw him screen passes. That’s how Shanahan used him last week, and that’s how Bill Walsh and Andy Reid would use him, too.
McCaffrey is an excellent running back, but the 49ers do not have an excellent offensive line, especially while Aaron Banks is out with turf toe. The Buccaneers should win the battle of the trenches. So avoid that battle.
