Why the 49ers Will Have Success Running the Ball Against the Bengals

McCaffrey should be having more success. So what gives? Why is he suddenly being inefficient?

Christian McCaffrey has struggled running the ball in the last three games for the 49ers.

He is averaging three yards per carry in those three games combined, which isn't acceptable for an All-Pro caliber running back. McCaffrey should be having more success. So what gives? Why is he suddenly being inefficient?

"We haven't given him the lanes that he needs," said offensive line coach Chris Foerster. "We haven't given him the space he needs. The space that we did in the first couple games and that the last couple games, it just hasn't been there. You create that space by blocking him better."

Foerster also noted that throwing the football more could help along with opposing defenses selling out to stop the run. I couldn't agree more with Foerster. I'd also throw in that maybe taking a few carries away from him and giving them to Jordan Mason would help to keep him fresh. But I doubt that is going to be the case since Kyle Shanahan loves McCaffrey. It's definitely not going to happen this week against the Bengals because the 49ers will find success running the ball.

Cincinnati doesn't have a great defense, although neither did the Vikings and the 49ers struggled on the ground. This time, however, the 49ers are facing one of the weakest run defenses in the NFL. The Bengals allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game at 142.8 yards. This is how the 49ers can win this game and make it an easy outing. By running the ball, they can control the time of possession and give their defense a break.

When the Bengals faced the Seahawks in their last game, they held Kenneth Walker in check to 62 yards for 3.3 yards per carry. But there were a handful of carries in the first half of the game where Walker gashed them for chunk yardage and bullied them. With a better running back like McCaffrey, he should find greater success and even break one to the house. The only way the 49ers struggle again on the ground is if what Foerster says holds true about defenses committing to stopping the run and will live against the pass.

I'm sure that is what their focus will be as the Bengals have a solid pass defense. Generating yards against them isn't easy as they rank No. 12 in the league at 213 yards per game. Still, the running game has to get going. And if McCaffrey is still finding it difficult to find efficiency, then Shanahan needs to consider giving Mason a few carries to give the running game a change of pace. It's better than stubbornly running McCaffrey repeatedly when it isn't working.

This is the game for the 49ers run game and McCaffrey to get back on track against a poor run defense. Otherwise, there will be some concern to ensue following the game.