WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. — Opponents, simply put, are not scoring much on the 49ers’ defense.
“They haven’t given up 20 points, yet, have they?” tight end George Kittle said.
Correct.
Points allowed each game by the NFL’s top-ranked defense: 19, 7, 11, 9, and 15.
“We’re going to win a lot of football games just based off our defense playing at the level they’re playing at,” Kittle added.
That defense, however, could use some help Sunday in Atlanta. Injuries could send out a swarm of second stringers, albeit high-grade reinforcements, and no position group is exempt.
The 49ers (3-2) are speaking and playing more confidently on offense, one that’s still steeped in the run game but finding a familiar flow with Jimmy Garoppolo.
After stringing together explosive plays in Sunday’s 37-15 win at Carolina, the 49ers’ practices this week at The Greenbrier Resort are accompanied by renewed confidence, to an extent.
“As we watched film (Monday), there were a lot, a lot of mistakes we made that you would never know about,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said. “We take pride in that, and that’s why we come here every day to correct all the mistakes we’ve made.”
Added Kittle: “Our offense is definitely clicking a little bit and we have the opportunity to go out there and do the same thing again.”
THURSDAY’S ATTENDANCE
Nick Bosa (groin), Javon Kinlaw (knee) and Arik Armstead (feet, ankle) remained out of practice, but the 49ers’ defensive line did welcome back Samson Ebukam, who skipped Wednesday’s session because of an Achilles issue that coach Kyle Shanahan attributed to Carolina’s hard, synthetic surface.
Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and kicker Robbie Gould (knee) worked with trainers on a side field.
Cornerback Jason Verrett was not at the start of practice, perhaps further signaling that his season debut will come after this Sunday’s game on Atlanta’s FieldTurf.
Source: www.mercurynews.com