While Morris' numbers are impressive, it should be noted that 90 of those yards came on five carries. On his other 16 carries he managed to average only 2.18 yards per carry. This needs to be taken into account because it wasn't as if Morris was making runs that were allowing Washington to dictate the flow of the game.
Let's take a look at the five big runs that the 49ers defense allowed on Sunday.
First Quarter: 10:30, 1st and 10 Washington 21 - Ahmad Brooks gives up outside leverage when he jumps inside and then misses the tackle. Defensive tackle Quinton Dial appears to be in good position as he chases the play down the line, but he trips. Meanwhile, the Washington offensive line does a good job of getting to the second level.
First Quarter: 3:45, 1st and 10 Washington 7 - Tony Jerod-Eddie does a good job of chasing the play down the line of scrimmage and is in position to make the stop for a three to four yard gain, but he gets his head on the wrong side and Morris easily breaks the arm tackle. At the second level, Michael Wilhoite has over-pursued a bit which allows a lane for Morris to pick up additional yardage.
Second Quarter: 7:48, 1st and 10 San Francisco 12 - Chris Culliver is unblocked and has a free shot on Morris in the hole. He doesn't make the play and Morris goes for 11 yards.
Third Quarter: 13:47, 1st and 10 Washington 22 - Vic Fangio sends Michael Wilhoite on a blitz from the backside of the play so the 49ers lose a pursuit defender. Perrish Cox has a free shot on Morris in the hole but backs off and allows himself to be blocked.
Third Quarter: 4:49, 1st and 10 Washington 22 - Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch loses outside leverage, but Michael Wilhoite scrapes over the top and appears to be in position to stop the play for a short gain until he trips. Morris then dances along the sideline for an 11 yard gain.
Similar to the issues we've seen with the offense this season, the big plays given up by the defense call come down to execution. Each time they had a player in position to make a play, but they ultimately failed to do so. The good news for the 49ers is that these are all quick and easy fixes. With only three days to prepare for Seattle, they better make those changes in a hurry.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers mailbag: Why did SF abandon the run against Detroit? Will the 49ers focus on offense or defense this offseason? Will SF replace Nick Sorensen with Robert Saleh?
There are a lot of questions that will follow the San Francisco 49ers into the offseason. Who will get extensions? Who will be let go? What moves will they make in free agency and the draft? And many more. You have questions, as well, and that's a good thing because we opened... -
Kyle Shanahan explains why the 49ers abandoned the run against the Lions
The San Francisco 49ers leaned heavily on the passing game as Monday night's matchup against the Detroit Lions progressed. Of quarterback Brock Purdy's 24 second-half plays, 22 were pass attempts. On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the decision to shift away from... -
Veteran cornerback turned down lucrative 49ers offer to join Lions
Cornerback Amik Robertson, a fourth-round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions this past offseason. Speaking with the Detroit Free Press, Robertson explained why he felt the Lions were the perfect fit for him. "I wanted... -
No Huddle Podcast: Brock Purdy's Future & Why the 49ers Need Big Changes on Defense
(Episode 399) — Brian Renick and Al Sacco discuss the defensive efforts from Monday's loss to the Lions, the poor draft strategy with defensive players, who the 49ers could target to fix the defense, Brock Purdy's contract demands, Brian's hypothetical trade at QB, and...