On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to put a bow on the 2018 season and attempt to answer the questions we had entering the season. How did the revamped offensive line come together? What happened with the pass coverage? And did the 49ers manage to improve their ability to rush the passer? All that, plus we hand out some year-end superlatives, talk Robert Saleh’s evolution, and set the stage for the 49ers’ best season: the offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes friends of the pod (old and new) to celebrate a win 5 years in the making. Brandon Schulze from the Seahawkers Podcast joins to detail changes to Seattle’s strategy. David Lombardi of The Athletic discusses the value of Nick Mullens. And John Bufone of the Bufone 55 Podcast joins to preview the week 16 matchup vs the Bears. All that plus a new advanced stat, a Mullens-Trubisky swap, and the value of learning to win.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s a Win-and-we-didn’t-totally-screw-up-draft-position Wednesday! What changed in the second half that nearly allowed the Broncos to come back? Which defensive players saw time at some more natural positions? And why is it difficult to truly judge Robert Saleh as a defensive coordinator right now? All that, plus previewing Seattle part two, a special beer that didn’t kill us (yet), and opening the chocolate door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes former NFL and AFL cornerback Erick Crocker to discuss offensive efficiencies rendered useless in Seattle. How can the 49ers ranked in the top 10 in any offensive categories? How precisely did Brian Schottenheimer out-coach Robert Saleh? Why in the hell is the line vs the Broncos just 4 points? All that plus a spotlight player, an update on Solomon Thomas’ interior snaps, and playing on broken legs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and Jerod discuss the effective Tampa Bay game plan that ultimately flummoxed the Mullens-led 49ers. How did one of the NFL’s worst defenses look decent? (2:15) Should Kyle Shanahan have gone for it near the goal line? (16:44) Are the 49ers in full eval mode? (26:16) All that plus a Seattle preview (48:43), a discussion on Arik Armstead’s value (31:15), and Jerod’s preferred end zone celebration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special Thanksgiving edition of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes former Football Outsiders contributor, current Footballguys.com writer, and fellow 49ers fan Danny Tuccito to discuss what aspects of the 2018 team they are thankful for.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the Elegant Tank continues! Oscar and Jerod detail the breakdowns that ultimately cost the 49ers the game and ask: Are the defensive problems due to scheme or execution? All that plus Mullens' limitations, carpool karaoke, a resurgent first round pick, and a deep dive on pattern matching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Chahrouri, data scientist at Pro Football Focus, joins to discuss how to measure the true impact of a head coach. This special bonus episode details why Kyle Shanahan is so valuable to the San Francisco 49ers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Jerod and Oscar are in full MULLENSMANIA mode. What drove Mullens’ success? (2:32) What powered the 49ers defensive resurgence? (28:56) And will the 49ers be able to continue their success against the New York Giants? (42:48) All that plus spotlight players, James “You” Bettcher’s game plan, and valuing original Nick names.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, execution problems still haunt the 49ers. How did Josh Rosen exploit the middle of the 49ers defense? (4:38) What’s going right, and wrong, with the 49ers run game? (15:27) WHY DIDN’T THE TEAM ADD DANTE FOWLER?! (31:58) All that, plus a spotlight players (27:33), a preview of the final Battle of the Bay (41:26), a running back problem, and a new official co-host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and Jerod discuss the debacle against the Rams. (:51) What are the proper expectations for CJ Beathard? (3:35) Is Garçon stunting the development of a young wide receiving corps? (12:44) Why did Solomon Thomas have one of his best games of 2018? (27:22) All that plus the bracket for the first overall pick (43:31), and the curious case of the missing Johnson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the Elegant Tank paints its masterpiece. What on earth was happening as the 49ers’ defense alternated between disaster and decency? (0:56) How did Beathard beat the hardest he’s ever beaten? (15:53) And where did things ultimately fall apart in the fourth quarter? (22:25) All that, plus Marquise Goodwin in the spotlight, pleas for a mercy rule this week against the Rams (41:58), and it’s been 10 days since Solomon Thomas has rushed the passer from the interior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Better Rivals Podcast Oscar welcomes Ted Nguyen, NFL staff writer for the Athletic to discuss how the 49ers lost a game where they dominated in nearly every phase (1:37). How did Shanahan’s game plan take advantage of the Cardinals defense? Did the defense actually play well or was Rosen just abysmal? Then, friend of the pod and former NFL cornerback Erick Crocker joins for a deep dive into the state of the 49ers secondary (29:20).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the elegant tank is officially back on. How did Beathard perform relative to expectation in his first start of year two? (1:30) Are the defensive struggles really all on Robert Saleh? (16:27) And are the 49ers really better than the Cardinals right now? (38:48) All that, plus George Kittle continues to be an absolute boss (26:56), Earl Thomas-to-the-49ers speculation (30:01), and Casey Jarrett is the recipient of the football world’s collective Nickelback rage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s the whompiest of Whomp Whomp Wednesdays. Why did the Chiefs offense meet such little resistance from the 49ers defense? (2:25) Were there any bright spots to take away from Sunday’s performance? (17:57) And of course, where do the 49ers go now without Jimmy Garoppolo? (32:48) All that, plus expectations for C.J. Beathard, (43:41) where the Chargers will be looking to attack on offense, and matchups we’ll be focused on in Los Angeles.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and special guest Jerod Brown discuss the 49ers first win of the 2018 season. Why was the Lions defensive game plan successful? (3:05) Why are there so many defensive lapses? (11:25). What does this all mean for a week three game against the cheat code that is the red-hot Chiefs offense? (42:31) All that plus a new rushing Leadah (27:00), a check in on Mike McGlinchey (33:16), and an exploitable Chiefs vulnerability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Jerod Brown joins the show to recap a closer-than-expected loss against the Vikings. How was Kyle Shanahan’s game plan successful? (2:37) Did Jimmy Ward finally find his niche? Should you be alarmed about Jimmy Garoppolo’s miscues? (18:30) All that plus a preview of the week 2 matchup versus the Detroit Lions (41:22), and Jim Bob Cooter musings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, REAL FOOTBALL IS HERE. Jerod Brown, fellow Scouting Academy alum and writer for Bleacher Report’s NFL 1000, joins to discuss the final 53 man roster (9:01) and preview the week one tilt vs the Vikings (16:13). Why is the Vikings D effectively a mirror image of Shanahan's offense? What will the Vikings offense look like under new OC John DeFilippo? And is Kirk Cousins tailor-made for this offense? All that, plus a farewell toast to Jerick McKinnnon (3:36).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Chris Biderman joins to recap the weeks news (2:15), including the surprising(?) Eli Harold trade. Eric Crocker, a former NFL and AFL defensive back, joins to discuss the 3rd preseason game against the Colts (8:07). Did Josh Garnett do enough to win the starting role? Why is Cole Wick beating Cole Hikutini for the 3rd tight end role? And a look at Mike McGlinchey’s rough run-blocking day. All that, plus a few roster predictions leading up to final cut day (39:06). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Chris Biderman joins Oscar to discuss Bill Barnwell’s attempt at a Jimmy Garoppolo article. Chris also helps break down the best, and worst, players from the 49ers second preseason game. And Blake Murphy from Revenge of the Birds joins to preview the Cardinals 2018 season. All that plus the beauty of analogies, the best burger in Tempe, and a potential Better Rivals curse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, (preseason) football is back! Jeff Deeney from Pro Football Focus joins to discuss which players helped themselves, and which hurt themselves, in the first preseason game (:56). Then Joe McAtee, editor of Turf Show Times, joins the show to answer the key questions that will define the Rams 2018 season (21:38). All that plus a Harry Potter-themed roster quiz, and a Phillips over McVay TAEK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Brandan Shulze from the SeaHawkers Podcast joins the show to preview the Seahawk’s 2018 season (11:03). Will the Seattle defense be able to sustain a high level of play despite a talent drain? How bad will Brian Schottenheimer’s offense really be? Will the offensive line improve? All that plus a training camp review from PFF’s Jeff Deeny (:36) and a Seattle-specific speed round (53:04). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, football is right around the corner and it’s season preview time! Will Jimmy Garoppolo be able to sustain his excellent play over a full season? (9:19) Does the pass coverage take a significant step forward? (19:47) Will the 49ers be able to generate more edge pressure this season? (27:56) All that, plus record predictions, superlatives, and a fond farewell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we put a bow on Smart Football Month by taking a look at Robert Saleh’s pressure packages and their effectiveness. How often did the 49ers stunt or blitz last season relative to league average? (18:11) Were they actually effective when they did? (30:47) And how should we expect that to change in the coming season? (44:18) All that, plus takeaways from the Football Outsiders Almanac, Jimmy GQ feature week, and real football is right around the corner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices