The San Francisco 49ers, after winning each of their five games and looking like arguably the best team in the NFL, have lost their last three games and are now looking a bit vulnerable.
While quarterback Brock Purdy has had two interceptions apiece in his last two games, plenty of fans are pointing their fingers at the team’s defense, which was formerly its biggest strength.
Last season, under the tutelage of defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, the 49ers were the best defensive team in the league, but this season, cracks have appeared in their red and gold armor.
They have a new defensive coordinator this year in Steve Wilks, and he will be making a change for this week’s game at the Jacksonville Jaguars by coaching out on the sidelines rather than in the booth, per Nick Wagoner.
#49ers DC Steve Wilks will move to the field to coach this week.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 8, 2023
This is likely the right move, as it is easier to evaluate what is happening and what is needed up close and personal, and such a move allows a coach to receive immediate feedback from his players.
San Francisco has given up at least 400 yards of total offense in each of their last two games, including a whopping total of 452 yards and 378 passing yards in Week 7 to a Minnesota Vikings team that was without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jacksonville is red-hot, as they have won five games in a row, but they’re not invincible, and the Niners will get some help in the form of new acquisition Chase Young, a stud defensive end they traded for just over a week ago.
