49ers Look to Capitalize on Trevor Lawrence's Pressure and Turnover Prone Play

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ICARO Media Group
News
10/11/2023 22h12

In a critical matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the San Francisco 49ers are aiming to break their three-game losing streak by taking advantage of quarterback Trevor Lawrence's struggles under pressure and the Jaguars' turnover-prone defense. Both teams are coming off their respective bye weeks, with the Jaguars riding high on a five-game winning streak while the 49ers have been busy making adjustments and acquiring new talent.

The 49ers' acquisition of defensive end Chase Young at the trade deadline has injected much-needed energy into their struggling defense. With multiple questions surrounding the unit, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been actively seeking answers. While Young's arrival is expected to bolster the pass rush and help solve the team's issues with sacking the quarterback, the focus on Sunday might primarily be on generating pressures and interceptions.

Lawrence, the highly-touted rookie quarterback for the Jaguars, has displayed vulnerability when facing pressure, throwing three of his four interceptions this season while in such situations. The 49ers will look to exploit this weakness and disrupt Lawrence's rhythm. While other quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Joe Burrow performed well under pressure in previous matchups against the 49ers, Lawrence has struggled, facing pressure on nearly 30 percent of his pass plays.

Lawrence's performance notably drops when under pressure, with a 30 percent decline in completion percentage and a significant 35-point dip in passer rating. The 49ers will attempt to exploit these weaknesses and force the young quarterback into making mistakes. While the 49ers' defense has struggled to collect sacks in recent weeks, the pressure they generate could lead to interceptions and turnaround their defensive fortunes.

Turnovers will be a key factor in this matchup, as the Jaguars' defense has excelled in this area, forcing turnovers on 17.9 percent of their opponents' drives, the best in the league. The 49ers, on the other hand, have experienced a recent uptick in turnovers, giving the ball away seven times in their last three games. This coincides with a decline in offensive production, as the 49ers have averaged just 17 points per game in those matchups.

Moreover, the Jaguars' defense has been stout against the run, allowing a mere 79.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in the league. However, the 49ers boast the league's leading rusher in Christian McCaffrey, who has gained 652 rushing yards this season. The return of key players like Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams should provide a boost to the 49ers' struggling ground game.

As the 49ers face off against the formidable Jaguars, the focus will be on capitalizing on Lawrence's vulnerability under pressure and taking advantage of his propensity for turnovers. The 49ers' defense aims to disrupt the young quarterback's rhythm and potentially turn the tide in their favor. Additionally, the return of key offensive weapons should aid in igniting the 49ers' rushing attack against the Jaguars' stout run defense. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for both teams' seasons moving forward.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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