49ers-Patriots film review: Looking at Jeff Wilson, JaMycal Hasty, and the excellent blocking
Film review time! The 49ers put on a masterclass of running and blocking against the Patriots in Week 7, and we take a look at some of the best plays.
The San Francisco 49ers are the most injury-stricken team in the NFL (honorable mention to the Philadelphia Eagles, of course), but they’re still winning football games.
Despite all those injuries, they’re 4-3 on the season — last place in the NFC West, but still only a win away from the Seattle Seahawks, who sit at 5-1 atop the division. They’re productive, even with a battered roster that became even more battered in the 33-6 road drubbing of the New England Patriots in Week 7.
Kyle Shanahan called a great game, and the players responded by executing on both sides of the ball. On offense, always the biggest concern with this 49ers team, San Francisco displayed a masterclass in blocking and efficiency.
Rather than tell you, how about I show you?
Jeff Wilson Jr. goes off, then gets hurt. Because of course.
The 49ers can’t have nice things, especially when it comes to running backs. Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon have been hurt for some time, and Raheem Mostert missed Sunday’s game and will miss more with an injury sustained in Week 6. Enter Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wilson impressed with his between-the-tackles running against the Patriots, finding the hole and making impressive cuts while not shying away from head-on contact. Unfortunately, he hurt his left ankle while scoring his third touchdown of the day, and his status going forward is up in the air.
Wilson finished the game with 17 carries for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Let’s just jump into a couple of his runs to get a look at what he did right and how the blocking helped him along.
Or, really, who needs blocking?
2nd Quarter, 14:50, 1st-and-10 from SF 25: Jeff Wilson 13 yard run (Jonathan Jones, Devin McCourty)
The 49ers were blocking well on this play, but Wilson’s cuts and vision with the ball are the highlights. He saw the hole about to close up, changed direction to the outside, and then cut inside for a solid gain of 13 yards.
This is the kind of blocking the 49ers love — chaotic blocking from all angles in all directions. It doesn’t always look pretty, but the Patriots were spread out and were getting pummeled from every direction. You’ll notice that center Hroniss Grasu lost containment of his man almost immediately, but he recovered well enough for Wilson to make his first cut, saving the play.
The best part is the extra effort at the end, Wilson fought for every inch there and picked up plenty. Frank Gore would be proud. It was a solid gain in a game filled with them. Let’s go to just a few minutes later:
2nd Quarter, 8:13, 2nd-and-2 from NE 30: Wilson 17 yards run (Stephon Gilmore)
Wilson doesn’t shy away from contact, as you can see in this, his longest run of the day. Not only can you see him shrugging off a defender who is trying to grab at his ankles, he lowered his shoulder and slammed through another defender and even looked like he might be able to get through for a touchdown.
He didn’t make it quite that far, though the blocking was still excellent on the play — just look at George Kittle! It’s notable that Kittle doesn’t go for Gilmore, he goes for the deeper option, and Wilson follows right behind him, forcing Gilmore to scramble to make the tackle.
Wide receiver Richie James also made a strong block on the play, while Juszczyk was right there with the line, opening up the initial hole. Once again, it’s a complete blocking clinic put on by the 49ers.
2nd Quarter, 1:04, 1st-and-10 from NE 16: Wilson 16 yard run for touchdown
Jumping ahead a bit, you can see this beautiful sweep with everyone on the 49ers holding their own on blocks. The most notable is Kendrick Bourne in the end zone, who blocked the defender without getting called for holding. He opened a huge path for Wilson, who only had to shake the one defender, No. 31 — Jonathan Jones.
You’ll notice the linebacker, No. 51, Ja’Whaun Bentley, freezing up as tight end Ross Dwelley ran to the left of the formation as the ball was snapped. Bentley is a fast player, but was completely taken out of the play by the 49ers’ constant use of motion and misdirection.
Unfortunately, Wilson’s game was cut short — not on this touchdown, but on the one that came after it — which meant an increased workload for rookie running back JaMychal Hasty. He had some explosive plays on Sunday, and I’m interested in seeing him get more looks against the Seahawks. Let’s look at a couple of them.
2nd Quarter, 3:32, 1st-and-20 from SF 21: Garoppolo pass to JaMycal Hasty for 16 yards (Jonathan Jones)
Hasty is quick, as you can plainly see here. Juszczyk blocked just enough of his man, and got in the way of No. 32, Devin McCourty, in the process. That allowed Hasty to catch the pass and bounce around the outside for a big gain.
Rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk was the man in front of him, throwing down a block and also getting rammed by Hasty in the process. All receivers block at one point or another, but it’s a major point of focus in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Last season, the 49ers got excellent blocking out of their receivers and so far, Aiyuk is fitting right in.
2nd Quarter, 2:49, 2nd-and-4 from SF 37: Hasty 20 yard run (Jonathan Jones)
Hasty’s longest run of the day was this 20 yard toss where he showed off his speed in a big way. This came right after his 16-yard reception and really, it makes me want to see what he can do with a long string of snaps.
The highlight here is Juszczyk selling out in space for a big block. He obliterated his man. And an honorable mention to Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel for the hustle on their blocks at and behind the line of scrimmage.
Hasty finished the game with 15 offensive snaps, carrying the ball nine times for 57 yards with one catch for 16 yards.
3rd Quarter, 0:52, 2nd-and-1 from NE 27: Kyle Juszczyk 10 yard run (Adrian Phillips)
This isn’t a huge play or anything, I just can’t get enough of Juszczyk, if I’m being honest. The best fullback in the league is far more than just a fullback, and I love to see him hitting the line with speed and slamming into defenders with reckless abandon.
The 49ers have the Seahawks next up. It’s going to be a very tough game, but one they can win if they can keep up offensively. The defense will have its hands full, but if the offense isn’t clicking like it has the past two weeks, it won’t make a difference.
San Francisco has to keep up the pressure on the offensive side of the ball. Jimmy Garoppolo can’t throw silly interceptions like the one early in the game against the Patriots, and the play-calling by Shanahan needs to be as on-point as it was in New England.
Next up, I’ll have some NFL picks, some more classic games stuff, and whatever the heck else I want to write about.
Stay tuned and stay safe, friends. <3