On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers fall to 0-4 after their third consecutive close loss. Where did things break down defensively on the final drive in OT? (1:34) What’s going on with Rashard Robinson? (13:50) How is the pass rush faring after the first month of season? (27:16) And what’s leading to Hoyer’s maddening inconsistency? (42:50) All that, plus Bradley Pinion crushing it, Trent Brown’s hot start, and what to watch in Indianapolis (57:30). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disclaimer: We apologize for the audio quality in this episode. Technical difficulties caused a bad stutter throughout this episode, and we understand if that makes it too difficult to listen to. Thank you to those who power through. On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we have many things on our mind after the most exciting 49ers game in several years. Is the front seven generating enough pressure? (3:09) Is the Rams offense legit or are the 49ers just back to the same old crap defensively? (24:02) And what finally clicked with Brian Hoyer and the passing game? (36:03) All that, plus Joe Staley owns Robert Quinn, how Tank Carradine’s absence impacts the defensive line, and what to watch against the Cardinals (47:28). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 205: “Moral victories are for losers.” by Niners Nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are unable to continue their season-opener magic. What did we learn about the defensive line in Week 1? What led to so many breakdowns in the secondary? And what’s going to hold back Kyle Shanahan’s offense this season? All that, plus Aaron Lynch held out due to a coach’s decision, the season’s first Spotlight Player of the Week, and three things to watch against the Seahawks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, real football is finally here! We get you prepared for the 2017 season by outlining why the 49ers should be better this season, but also why they might not be that much better. All that, plus takeaways from the 53-man roster cuts, season predictions, and things we’ll be watching against the Panthers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s dress rehearsal recap time! We run through the biggest takeaways from the 49ers’ third preseason game and look ahead to toughest roster decisions John Lynch & Co. will have to make this week. What led to Hoyer’s early success? What’s holding back the run game? And what schematic tendencies did we see defensively? All that, plus Vance McDonald gets traded (!!), Reuben Foster makes us smile, and players trending up and down as we head into final roster cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to wake up and kick ass. We recap all you need to know about the 49ers’ preseason game against the Broncos. Why couldn’t the run game get going? Is the offensive line really improving in pass protection? And do we have a quarterback competition on our hands? All that, plus Jimmie Ward joins the PAP list, comfort level with Lorenzo Jerome, and is Tank for real this time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 200th episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we have new football to discuss! What should you be looking for during the preseason? Which tendencies should you be keeping an eye on as we move toward the regular season? And which players are trending up and down after one week of preseason action? All that, plus Von Miller man-crushes on Trent Brown, rookie watch, and things to look for against the Broncos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we open up the mailbag to answer all of your training camp questions. What’s happening with the running back battle? How concerned should you be about the injuries in the secondary? How many wins would it take for the 49ers to commit to Brian Hoyer long term? And which players are primed for their peak season? All that, plus the end of the Bruce Ellington era, projections from the Football Outsiders Almanac, and which player we’d take on in an Oklahoma drill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month draws to a close by taking a look at how Kyle Shanahan attacks coverages in the passing game. What are the basic coverage types you’ll see from NFL defenses? Where are the weak spots in those coverages? And which concepts does Shanahan use to exploit them? All that, plus some interesting numbers on the 2016 offense, another look at Kyle Juszczyk’s monster contract, and #KurtyKurt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month turns its attention to an oft neglected portion of the roster: the offensive line. What are the differences between zone, gap, and man run schemes? How can you identify them when you’re watching games this fall? How do offensive linemen go about determining who to block in pass protections? And what does the change in offensive scheme mean for the 49ers’ offensive line? All that, plus Camp Hoyer, DeAngelo Williams hating on the Cowboys, and #ILikeDat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month rolls on! Defense is again in the spotlight as we move to the secondary and talk coverages. What is single-high coverage and why are we expecting to see it from the 49ers this season? Which position is the key to making everything go in the secondary? And how will San Francisco’s defensive backs fare in this transition? All that, plus which 49ers would be most valuable on the open market, Eric Reid vs. Jaquiski Tartt, and something about butts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s the return of Scheme Month! We kick things off by focusing in on the defensive front and the 49ers’ transition to a 4-3 defense. How can you identify different defensive fronts? What’s the difference between one-gapping and two-gapping? How is your basic four-man pass rush constructed? And what do the changes in scheme mean for the 49ers’ roster? All that, plus the importance of the 3-technique, Matt Breida is Our Future, and #MiddleOut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we return after a short hiatus to recap all of the notable 49ers happenings of the past few weeks. What does the Elvis Dumervil signing mean for the other edge defenders on the roster? Which minicamp storylines should you be ignoring? And which position battles should you be taking note of? All that, plus stupid NFL rules, a speed round, and the best fictional football player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s mailbag time! What do we make of the 49ers’ running back situation? How do the pieces fit together along the defensive line? Who wins the slot receiver battle? And who are some potential breakout players to watch? All that, plus a lightning round, Space Jam, and our NFL positions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to put a bow on draft season. We highlight a few UDFAs with a legitimate opportunity to crack the 53-man roster, and take a look at where things stand on the 90-man roster with all of the major offseason transactions in the books. Can Matt Breida become the next undrafted running back to find success in the Shanahan system? Which position will be the most intriguing throughout training camp and the preseason? And what does the TE group potentially tell us about what the 49ers want to do on offense? All that, plus cuts at running back, a safety who was in the top 100 players on Mike Mayock’s board, and NaVorro Bowman trade rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this post-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we evaluate all 10 selections in the first draft for John Lynch & Co, identifying where each player wins, where they could improve, and where they fit on the 49ers’ roster. Where does first-round pick Solomon Thomas fit in with the incumbent defensive linemen? Which players are primed to make an early impact? And what themes did we pull from San Francisco’s draft as a whole? All that, plus draft-trade values, Paarag’s role, and bad name puns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this final pre-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we put everything together and develop a plan of attack for the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class? Is trading down from No. 2 overall a realistic possibility? Who’s the best option if they’re stuck at No. 2? And which positions should they be focused in on throughout the draft? All that, plus smoke screens, Glen Coffee’s return, and Drunk Prospecting Vol. 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we bring on long time friend of the podcast Jordan Plocher to break down the 2017 defensive draft class. Does it make sense for the 49ers to look at Solomon Thomas and Derek Barnett at No. 2 overall? Which cornerbacks fit the profile San Francisco will be looking for in their new defense? And are prospects at non-premium positions like Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, or Reuben Foster worth considering at the top of the draft? All that, plus positions to avoid, switching gears, and Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we’re joined by Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus to talk all things 2017 QB draft class. How do you reconcile the sample-size difference between Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson? Which of them fit better in Kyle Shanahan’s offense? Where do you draw the line between QB positional value and the risk of missing out on an elite talent at another position at the top of the draft? And who are some day-three QBs the 49ers should have their eye on? All that, plus Tramaine Brock’s release, Lynch officially opening trade talks for No. 2, and draft hot takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Matt Waldman joins us to discuss skill-position players in the 2017 NFL Draft. How does this WR class stack up to recent years? How much of a priority should the TE position be for the 49ers on draft weekend? And where do Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey makes sense from a value perspective? All that, plus catching up on recent news in Ninerland, questions to answer before the draft, and draftsterbation. 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 the 2017 free agency period for the 49ers. How does Jeremy Zuttah improve the offensive line? Is Aldrick Robinson the same player as Marquise Goodwin? Can Matt Barkley be relied on as a backup? And why is it important to consider more than just a player’s talent when analyzing player acquisitions? All that, plus positional scarcity, kicker jokes, and lessons from The Scouting Academy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, free agency has started and hope is in the air! What do Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin bring to a revamped wide receiver corps? What can we expect from Kyle Juszczyk in Kyle Shanahan’s offense? And is Brian Hoyer the quarterback we need or the quarterback we deserve? All that, plus more roster turnover, drunk prospecting, and cedillas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we move on to the passing game in our deep dive on Kyle Shanahan’s offense. How does he use play action to build off the run game? What are his go-to drop-back passing concepts? How does he use complementary pass concepts to attack defenses? All that, plus compensatory picks, free agent signings, and the Kirk Cousins conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals episode, it’s time to take a deep dive into Kyle Shanahan’s run game. How did the outside zone evolve in the NFL? What exactly is zone blocking? And what are the key assignments that make it all work? All that, plus Tom Gamble is out, thoughts on the coaching staff, and how the current offensive line fits in the new scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices