The San Francisco 49ers got their season back on track with a dominant Week 10 performance, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3 on the road. Was a key change involving defensive coordinator Steve Wilks the reason for the Niners' defense having its best game so far?
During the week, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Wilks would be coaching from the team's sideline, rather than up in a box with other coaches.
Linebacker Fred Warner lauded the move after the win, telling reporters “It was good having him down there. The communication was flawless,” per KNBR's Jake Hutchinson.
It had been a rough stretch for the 49ers, and specifically the defense. The team hit its Week 9 bye on a three-game losing streak after starting the season 5-0.
San Francisco surrendered 22 points to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7. They were worse in Week 8, giving up 31 points in a two-touchdown loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
But behind Wilks' new positioning, the unit righted the ship against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Lawrence finished the game 17-for-29 for just 185 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. He also lost a fumble after a strip sack.
The 49ers' pass rush got to Lawrence five times, with DE Nick Bosa and DT Javon Hargrave each registering a sack and a half.
Chalk up the decision by Shanahan as a wise one, at least after one week. If Week 10's win is any indication, having Wilks on the sideline provided a valuable jolt and got the Niners back in the discussion of NFC contenders.
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