49ers Need George Kittle To Return To Form
The San Francisco 49ers‘ prospects look a lot better right now than they did a week ago.
Back then, they were coming off an 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in which their offense looked slow and broken, and there were calls from fans to perhaps fire head coach Kyle Shanahan.
But on Monday, the team defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, and it wasn’t even close, as it crushed them with its defense, 24-9, and improved to 2-2 on the season.
Still, the 49ers need a big boost offensively.
The man who most needs to step things up is tight end George Kittle, who missed the first two games of the season with a groin injury.
If he returns to form, they can have at least a puncher’s chance of reaching the Super Bowl.
Kittle Has Been A Security Blanket Until This Season
Kittle, a fifth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, hasn’t just been one of San Francisco’s most reliable skill players in recent years – he has been one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
He has made the Pro Bowl three times in his previous five seasons, and in 2019 he was also selected to the All-Pro First Team.
2018 George Kittle was so special pic.twitter.com/7KHJaJdVkt
— Alex 👋 (@dbs408) October 5, 2022
Kittle not only blocks well on the offensive line, but he has been a consistent receiver and playmaker who is capable of adding additional yardage after catches.
49ers George Kittle still collecting bodies in the run game pic.twitter.com/uG2Ylrmnzy
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) October 5, 2022
But since being cleared to play in Week 3 versus Denver, he has been very quiet.
He had four catches and just 28 yards in that contest, and on Monday he was only able to connect on two of the four passes he was targeted on for 24 yards.
With running back Elijah Mitchell injured and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk off to a somewhat slow start, the 49ers’ offense has been heavily dependent on Deebo Samuel.
Although Samuel came up big versus the Rams with six catches, 115 receiving yards and a touchdown, a successful NFL offense cannot be carried by one or even two men.
Yes, Kittle does need to get back into rhythm with his teammates, but he needs to start going north of 50 receiving yards a game more often than not if the Niners are to make a serious run at first place in the NFC West or even a wild card playoff spot.
Reintegrating George Kittle into the passing game: We know that 85 and Garoppolo have good rapport — and sometimes it’ll take that. Kittle’s first catch came with some excellent timing between the two: pic.twitter.com/qdBh2jxSwH
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 5, 2022
San Francisco’s Offense Has Been Anemic
The 49ers have been a ground-and-pound team for years, but such a game plan won’t succeed without a solid passing game to keep defensive backs and middle linebackers off balance.
Through four games, they have been racking up a good number of rushing yards, but they rank only 24th in total yards, 26th in passing yards and 27th in passing touchdowns and total points scored.
In addition, San Francisco is just 22nd in third-down conversion rate and 31st in how often it scores a touchdown when it reaches the red zone.
All of these numbers need a major improvement over the next several weeks, and if Kittle returns to form, the Niners can make it happen.