Say this for 49ers’ under-fire defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil: He was unquestionably correct when he addressed reporters two days after an impressive season-opening win.
“There’s still a lot of stuff we need to work on,” O’Neil said.
Five losses later, it might be one of the best calls O’Neil has made this season.
The 49ers have followed their 28-0 victory over the Rams with a string of ugliness. During their five-game losing streak, they have allowed five 100-yard running backs and averages of 37 points and 430.8 yards.
Their 32nd-ranked run defense reached rock bottom — they hope — when it allowed the second-most rushing yards (312) in the franchise’s 1,030-game history in a 45-16 loss at Buffalo on Sunday.