A week ago, the 49ers offense finally emerged from its deep sleep to put up 27 points against the New York Giants in a 30-27 loss.
Does that mean all is well again? Has quarterback Colin Kaepernick rediscovered his mojo? Can San Francisco – which also finally got running back Carlos Hyde some running room – do it again?
On Sunday, 49ers fans will find out, when the 1-4 49ers play host to the 1-4 Baltimore Ravens at Levi’s Stadium (1:25 p.m. kickoff).
For the 49ers, it’s a chance to get back on the winning track against another franchise that is struggling in a big way. And, though the Ravens traditionally have been one of the NFL’s best defensive teams over the past 15 years, this Baltimore team is far less menacing.
As Jamison Hensley of ESPN pointed out this week, the Ravens defense has allowed three quarterbacks over the past four weeks to set single-game career highs in passing yards: Oakland’s Derek Carr (351), Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton (383) and Cleveland’s Josh McCown (457).
If McCown can do that much damage to the Ravens, what might Kaepernick be able to do?
Last week, against the Giants, the 49ers offensive line did a better job of giving Kaepernick more time to throw, and it paid off. After throwing five interceptions the previous two games, Kaepernick had none while completing 23-of-35 throws for 262 yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was 107.1 after ratings of 55.4 and 16.7 in consecutive wipeout losses to the Steelers and Cardinals.
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With tight end Vernon Davis expected to return to the lineup Sunday, Kaepernick could also have one of his favorite targets back on the field against a Baltimore defense that has been struggling since the loss of star linebacker Terrell Suggs. Without Suggs since the second game, the Ravens have given up more passing yards per game (310.3) than any other team, reports ESPN Stats & Information.
Despite that, oddsmakers have made the Ravens 3½-point favorites, even on the road. So not everyone is buying into the theory that the 49ers offense has suddenly healed.
But 49ers offensive coordinator Geep Chryst is encouraged by what he saw against the Giants.
With the offensive line doing a better job in both pass protection and run blocking, Chryst said the 49ers were able to have some success early, and that set the tempo.
“We’ve talked about him being a great rhythm athlete,” Chryst said of Kaepernick. “I thought he found a way to get into rhythm. And again, it takes 11 to pass the ball.”
Now, says Chryst, the 49ers hope to build on that offensive growth.
“We felt all along that this is a team that has to improve from September to October, improve from October to November, and that’s the challenge for this week playing the Ravens,” said Chryst. “Can we improve?”
Indeed, that is the question.
