The New York Giants have the best run defense in the league.
Through four games, the Giants are allowing 69.8 rushing yards per game, nearly 10 yards less than the Washington Redskins 78 yards allowed per contest. New York's 3.1 yards per rush allowed is also tied for the league lead with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The San Francisco 49ers are aware of the statistics and ready for the challenge.
"It's going to take a collective effort," said running back Reggie Bush. "It's going to take everyone on the same page at the same time. We're going to have to control the line of scrimmage. That's the most important thing."
The key, Bush said, is to not get frustrated and maintain persistence in the ground game.
"We're definitely going to run the ball," Bush said. "We're not going to shy away from it just because they're the No. 1 rush defense. It's just going to be a tough, physical run day. We know that. It will be two yards here, three yards there and then one will pop."
The 49ers are third in the league in yards per carry at 4.4 thanks to Colin Kaepernick and Pierre Garçon's averages of 5.9 and 4.5 yards, respectively. That said, San Francisco is coming off of a game in which Hyde carried the ball just eight times for 20 yards. Bush only got one carry himself.
Keeping all of the running backs more involved has been some of the focus during the team's week of preparation.
"It's definitely part of it," Bush said. "That's not all of it because we have so many great players on our team. When Carlos and I get a chance to make plays when our number is called, we have to take advantage of that. We can't let one rep go to waste."
On Thursday, Geep Chryst hinted that there might be some noticeable differences to the offensive gameplan against the Giants. Without divulging state secrets, Bush said he's excited about what the 49ers offensive coordinator has planned.
"I feel good about it," Bush said. "It's a player's game. It comes down to our ability to take what we've done in practice to the football field on Sunday's. These past couple games, we haven't been doing a good job of that. We have to make sure the work we put in all week doesn't go to waste."
Maybe the best way to find sustained success in the running game will be to grab an early lead on Sunday.
"I think that's real important," Bush said. "Anytime you go into a football game, especially on the road, the first thing the coaches will talk about is starting fast. That's what we need to do. We need to start fast this game and jump on them early."
