Once again, the San Francisco 49ers are dealing with an October slump. Last year, Kyle Shanahan’s squad went into their Week 9 bye following a three-game losing streak, only to rebound with a six-game winning streak that secured them a top seed in the NFC playoffs and a spot in Super Bowl 58.

This history offers some reassurance for devoted fans. The season is lengthy, and the 49ers (3-4) face another bye in Week 9. Following last weekend’s tough game against the Kansas City Chiefs, who they faced in the Super Bowl, they will meet the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

The Cowboys (3-3) are also struggling, particularly with one of the worst run defenses in the league. The 49ers have achieved victory over Dallas in their last three meetings, including two playoff games, solidifying their advantage.

In these encounters, the 49ers limited the Cowboys to under 100 rushing yards while averaging 150 yards on the ground themselves. With Dak Prescott throwing six interceptions across those games, everything seems to favor the 49ers heading into this match.

However, this year’s 49ers are not the same dominating force; they are experiencing a significant Super Bowl hangover, highlighting how different each season can be. Here are three key factors in their current predicament:

• Injuries: Recently, the situation worsened when star receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL, sidelining him for the season. He is the tenth player from the 49ers to be placed on injured reserve, joining defensive key players like Javon Hargrave and Talanoa Hufanga. While injuries are inevitable in sports, the 49ers seem to be disproportionately affected. Christian McCaffrey, who led the NFL last season in rushing, scrimmage yards, and touchdowns, is also expected to miss a few weeks due to an Achilles injury. Jordan Mason has stepped up and ranks second in the NFL in rushing, but McCaffrey’s dual-threat ability as a receiver adds another layer to the offense. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s eventual return from an Achilles rupture will further enhance the defense.

Even kickers have suffered setbacks; Jake Moody is still weeks away from recovering from a high ankle sprain, leading to the 49ers employing three kickers in as many weeks after Matthew Wright’s shoulder dislocation prompted the signing of Anders Carlson.

This injury crisis echoes the 49ers’ struggles following their Super Bowl loss in 2020, where they set an NFL record with 18 players on injured reserve.

• Brock Purdy: Last year, Purdy led the NFL with a 113.0 passer rating and had an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 31-to-11, averaging 9.64 yards per attempt and a touchdown rate of 7%. Now, after throwing three interceptions in the loss to the Chiefs, his efficiency rating has dropped to 91.2, placing him 16th in the league. It’s clear that the absence of CMC and injuries to key players like Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel have disrupted the offensive rhythm. The adjustments required to accommodate replacements have hindered the smooth performance the 49ers enjoyed last season. Therefore, the offensive issues are not solely attributable to the quarterback.

• Struggling Defense: As the saying goes, defense wins championships. However, the performance of the injury-stricken 49ers’ defense has been inadequate, contributing to the team’s troubles amid offensive struggles and special teams chaos. After finishing third in scoring defense last year (allowing 17.5 points per game), they now sit 16th, allowing 22.6 points. Their run defense has been particularly problematic, allowing an average of 112.9 rushing yards per game compared to 89.7 in 2023.

What lies ahead? The Cowboys are on deck, but the 49ers need far more than a temporary fix to maintain hope for a season that might lead to another Super Bowl.

Tua Talk: What lessons have been learned?

The last time Tua Tagovailoa returned after suffering a concussion in the 2022 season, he ran the ball aggressively early in the game. Reports say he even told Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, “Sorry, coach, I needed that one” after making contact.

McDaniel reflected on this moment and shared his thoughts on what guidance he would offer Tagovailoa now that the quarterback is cleared to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, following at least his third concussion since 2022.

“You don’t need that one this time around,” McDaniel advised, believing that Tagovailoa has gained a better awareness of his responsibilities to the team.

Tagovailoa himself mentioned that he often runs without caution, seeing it as part of his competitive advantage. However, coaches and teammates frequently encourage him to slide to protect himself better when leaving the pocket.

Tyreek Hill, the All-Pro receiver, even suggested that fans play a role in encouraging Tagovailoa to adopt safer habits.

“During the game against the Colts, I noticed how fans cheered for Anthony Richardson when he slid,” Hill explained. “I think our fans should show the same support for Tua and encourage him to slide.”

A Look Back for RW3

Russell Wilson’s first game with the Pittsburgh Steelers came with an interesting twist as he adjusted to coordinator Arthur Smith’s system. According to Next Gen Stats, during the Steelers’ 37-15 win over the Jets, Wilson lined up under center for 41 out of his 66 snaps (62.1%), marking his highest percentage since 2016.

Wilson, in his 13th season, has primarily played from the shotgun formation in recent games.

“It takes me back to my days in Wisconsin,” Wilson shared, gearing up for a Monday night game against the New York Giants. “During high school and at N.C. State, where I started before transferring, we used the shotgun formation most of the time. At Wisconsin, we spent a considerable amount of time under center.”

“I don’t mind whether I’m under center or in the shotgun. What excites me is having the ball and being prepared to lead the play.”

After missing the first six games due to a calf injury, Wilson made a strong return against the Jets, throwing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns without any interceptions. He also adapted well to Smith’s preference for utilizing play-action passing plays effectively.

On a night when Najee Harris recorded his second consecutive game with over 100 rushing yards (21 carries for 102 yards), Wilson had an impressive game, completing 8 of 9 passes for 150 yards from play-action dropbacks, a feat unmatched by any Steelers quarterback since 2016.

King Henry’s Record-Breaking Run

With 873 rushing yards in just seven games, Ravens running back Derrick Henry is on track to become the first player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in two different seasons. After an impressive 2,027 yards in 2020, he is currently averaging 124.7 yards per game, which, if maintained, would result in a total of 2,210 yards this season, breaking Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season record of 2,105 yards from 1984.

As Henry prepares to face the Browns on Sunday, he joins a select group of eight players who have surpassed the 2,000-yard mark. In a recent discussion with YSL News Sports, Dickerson commented on Henry’s incredible potential: “If he manages to do it again, that would be phenomenal. I aimed for it myself, but it’s extremely difficult. Everything must align perfectly. Falling behind is a critical factor when pursuing a 2,000-yard season.”

It’s noteworthy that Dickerson achieved his record during a 16-game season, averaging 131.6 yards per game. In a 17-game season, this would correspond to an impressive 2,237 rushing yards.

Quick Notes

— The Eagles are set to take on Cincinnati, boasting a defense that has recorded more sacks (13) than points allowed (12) over the last two games. This sack count, achieved by nine different players, ties the record for the most sacks in franchise history during such a stretch, which is impressive when considering the legacy of formidable defenses from the Reggie White era.

— After losing Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the season due to a broken leg, the Lions saw only one edge rusher, Josh Paschal, secure a sack in their victory over Minnesota. The remaining three sacks were obtained by blitzing linebackers, while defensive tackle D.J. Reeder achieved a quarterback hit. However, Paschal will not be available for the upcoming game against the Titans due to illness.