Tevin Coleman entered the 49ers’ divisional playoff game vs. the Vikings in a bit of a slump. He broke out of that slump in a big way Saturday with his best outing since October. Coleman was one of only a few 49ers with experience in the NFL playoffs, and that experience paid off with a showing that eclipsed his last five weeks of production.
Between Weeks 13-17, Coleman had just 22 carries for 96 yards and no touchdowns. His game-high for carries in that span was five, and nearly a third of those yards came on a 30-yard run vs. the Vikings. That means outside that run, he had 66 yards in his last 21 carries.
He blew those numbers away Saturday. Coleman ran it 22 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. All three of those numbers were playoff career highs.
Perhaps there was an undisclosed injury, or Coleman was simply experiencing the wear and tear of the regular season, but the bye week appears to have rejuvenated him.
Saturday was reminiscent of Coleman’s first five games where he averaged 14.2 carries, 66.4 four yards and one touchdown per game. San Francisco averaged 28.4 points per game in those contests.
The 49ers’ rushing attack is capable of being one of the NFL’s best, and that’s especially true with Coleman rolling like he did Saturday. Running the ball that effectively is a great way to string together wins in January.
