Believe it or not, it's coming back. QBs cost too much and defenses are all designed to stop the pass. So smart OCs are saying 'cool, I'll just run it'. And it works because defenses are just not designed to stop it. So even mediocre running backs can pile up big numbers and utterly control the clock. More teams are figuring this out and the pendulum will swing back to more running. That's my prediction (which is really more of an observation because the 49ers went to the Superbowl last year with an okay QB but a strong rushing attack driven by a perrenial practice squad / backup guy who had bounced around the league for years.
Give me the best OL coach in the land and I’ll make him the richest coach in the league.
A good offensive line makes you a contender, regardless of what you’ve got at the skill positions.
I think you have to consider the blocking scheme as much as the talent of the O line. The Niners ran well using zone blocking, misdirection, play action, a blocking TE and inarguably the best blocking FB in the league. Lamar Jackson accounted for half of the Raven’s rushing yardage using the zone read that Kaepernick made his splash with ten years ago. Houston made it to the playoffs using a power back to take on passing defenses. The good teams can do both and can stop both, power and scheme. IMHO the Niners lost the Super Bowl on the offensive side of the ball. Good offensive teams will score on anybody so have to be able to outscore them not hand your defense a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter and expect them to stop a good offense while you turn conservative on offense. KC played 8-9 Jan in the box the whole fourth quarter knowing SF wanted to run.
Agreed...but fans like points scored...attracting the fans is ruinning the game..
Actually, I have to admit I enjoyed watching the 49ers run the ball. The Titans were fun to watch at times too.