San Francisco 49ers

Few opportunities, little production from Hyde, 49ers' ground game

Published Oct. 5, 2015 12:03 a.m. ET

foxsports

Carlos Hyde made headlines in a season-opening 20-3 victory for the San Francisco 49ers, rushing for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

But, like his team, Hyde has regressed over the past three weeks by rushing for a combined 114 yards, including a season-low 20 on only eight carries in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

"No, that's not what we want," 49ers first-year coach Jim Tomsula told reporters in reference to Hyde's minimal carries. "But, we have to play a complete game. We have to be able to throw the ball. We have to be able to protect. We've got to be able to do those things and stay into an offense that is in rhythm."

Unlike the past two weeks, when San Francisco trailed by at least 24 points by halftime in blowout losses at Pittsburgh and Arizona, the 49ers were staring at a 7-3 deficit at intermission against the Packers.

That should have added up to a heavy dose of Hyde, especially given the struggles of the passing game, but the second-year running back noted the Packers were stacking their defense against the run. Hyde also said the onus has to fall on the players.

"The coaches just make the call, the players have to execute," Hyde said. "It's on us as the players to go execute their call, not us going to the coaches and telling them it's not working."