The San Francisco 49ers employ the NFL’s highest-paid fullback and one of the league’s most intriguing young tight ends. Furthermore, the team’s third and fourth wide receivers were inactive for Monday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. As a result, it was no surprise to see Kyle Shanahan’s team line up with a heavy dose of 21 personnel — two running backs and a tight end.
Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine countered this strategy by playing more snaps out of the team’s base 3-4 and sub-base defenses than at any other point this season, leaving a three-man line on the field for more than half of the game’s plays.