Could Carlos Hyde be the 49ers’ answer against Jaguars?
Sunday’s 49ers game
Opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Line: Jaguars by 4 1/2
Records: 49ers 4-10, Jaguars 10-4
TV/radio: CBS, 680, 1320
Three things to watch
Hit the slots
The Jaguars have arguably the best cornerback tandem, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, in the NFL. That will make throwing to the outside difficult. Jimmy Garoppolo’s best bet may be slot receiver Trent Taylor, who has seen an uptick in targets since Garoppolo took over. Taylor has 12 catches in the last three games but hasn’t seen the end zone since Week 3.
Beware Bortles
Jacksonville is most renown this season for its defense and running game. But quarterback Blake Bortles is on a roll of late. In his last three games he’s completed 71 percent of his passes, has seven touchdowns and no interceptions and has a passer rating of 139.3.
Run and Hyde
Carlos Hyde was virtually shut down in Week 15 by the blitz-heavy Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars don’t send nearly as much pressure. If their defense has a weakness, it’s against the run. They rank 19th in that category and have been giving up 4.5 yards a carry.
Injury report
49ers
Doubtful: CB Greg Mabin (calf)
Questionable: TE Garrett Celek (knee)
Jaguars
Out: WR Marqise Lee (ankle), WR Larry Pinkard (concussion)
Questionable: LB Lerentee McCray (neck), WR Allen Hurns (ankle)
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Outcome |
Sept. 10 | vs. Carolina | L, 23-3 |
Sept. 17 | at Seattle | L, 12-9 |
Sept. 21 | vs. L.A. Rams | L, 41-39 |
Oct. 1 | at Arizona | L, 18-15 |
Oct. 8 | at Indianapolis | L, 26-23 |
Oct. 15 | at Washington | L, 26-24 |
Oct. 22 | vs. Dallas | L, 40-10 |
Oct. 29 | at Philadelphia | L, 33-10 |
Nov. 5 | vs. Arizona | L, 20-10 |
Nov. 12 | vs. N.Y. Giants | W, 31-21 |
Nov. 26 | vs. Seattle | L, 24-13 |
Dec. 3 | at Chicago | W, 15-14 |
Dec. 10 | at Houston | W, 26-16 |
Dec. 17 | vs. Tennessee | W, 25-23 |
Date | Opponent | Time |
Sunday | vs. Jacksonville | 1:05 p.m. |
Dec. 31 | at L.A. Rams | 1:25 p.m. |
Matt Barrows: @mattbarrows, read more about the team at sacbee.com/sf49ers.
This story was originally published December 23, 2017 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Could Carlos Hyde be the 49ers’ answer against Jaguars?."