The 49er defense has performed inconsistently dating back to Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. A few examples of their struggles are stopping the run, defending deep passes, and getting off the field on third down.
On the other hand, the defense has held this team together through 10 weeks. In Week 9, San Francisco gave a lackluster effort on defense against the Arizona Cardinals. Missed tackles, blown assignments, and losing to a Colt McCoy-led offense is unacceptable.
49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans needed a spark from his players. So Jimmie Ward, Arik Armstead, and Fred Warner led a defense-only meeting at the team hotel before the MNF showdown Saturday.