How Kyle Shanahan Creates Running Lanes
The 49ers offense goes through their running game. They are 4th in the NFL in run frequency, and with good reason. Kyle Shanahan has arguably the most versatile and deceptive rushing schemes in the league.
Shanahan uses shifts, motion, and misdirection to create running lanes as well, if not better, than any offensive mind in the NFL. Take this play against the Vikings as an example.
Before the snap, wide receiver Deebo Samuel motioned across the formation, getting Minnesota linebackers to shift to the motion side:
He then changed directions and went into orbit motion behind the running back:
But since Samuel did not cross the center by the time the ball was snapped, linebacker Anthony Barr (#55) did not shift back to his initial position:
Then the run action at the snap initially went to the offense’s right, in the same direction that Minnesota’s linebackers had shifted. That got most of the defense to flow in that direction as well:
Samuel’s motion going back to the offense’s left pulled safety Harrison Smith (#22) to the outside. That created a cutback lane:
As it turned out, this was a designed cutback with fullback Kyle Juszczyk using counter-lead action, starting to the right before moving back to the left and pinning the defensive end inside:
Because of his alignment in response to Samuel’s motion and the initial run action, linebacker Anthony Barr (#55) got caught in the wash and pinned in the middle as well. The result was a wide running lane:
Shanahan was able to use motion to successfully manipulate the defense, create a hole in their alignment, and then attack it. No one in the NFL does that better than him.
The Cowboys will need to be on their toes against the run on Sunday.
To read my full breakdown of the 49ers on both sides of the ball over at Dallas Morning News, click here.