Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich should blitz QB Brock Purdy: Jets vs. 49ers

New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be tasked with slowing down 49ers tight-end George Kittle and assuring that quarterback Brock Purdy doesn’t catch rhythm behind their home crowd.

With Jets’ defensive backs Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed on the outside, the 49ers will face a real challenge trying to get the pass game going outside the hashes. Unlike many of the 49ers’ NFC west opponents, the Jets have the ability to play man coverage.

Ulbrich may be afforded many opportunities to blitz in this matchup and may send linebacker Quincy Williams or safety Chuck Clark in as additional pass rushers. Purdy, while accurate, has shown a history of difficulty versus the more physical defenses in the NFL. Especially when sacked multiple times in a game.

49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan loves to use lateral motion and pre-snap cheats to get his skill players in motion. Unfortunately for the 49ers,’ the Jets are much too talented and quick to lose on those generic drag & swing routes we’ve seen from Shanahan in the past. Ulbrich should lean on the physicality and speed of his defense to win at the line of scrimmage and dictate the pace on Monday Night Football.