49ers offensive line improving but biggest test yet coming up against Minnesota

49ers O-line improving but big test looms

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are going places if their offensive line can continue the rate of progress it has displayed during the team’s 2-0 start.

But coach Mike Singletary said the line still is a work in progress as the 49ers prepare for their biggest test yet Sunday against the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.

San Francisco’s line had a breakout performance during last week’s victory over Seattle after struggling the week before at Arizona.

“We played better and more physical up front, but we’ve got to get much better to get where we want to go,” Singletary said. “We’re going to be as good as our offensive line takes us on offense.”

San Francisco rushed for 256 yards, its highest output since 2006, as halfback Frank Gore broke loose for 207 yards on 16 carries against the Seahawks.

It was a quantum leap over the season opener when the 49ers rushed for just 21 net yards and Gore was limited to 30 yards on 22 carries.

The difference came up front as the line consistently opened holes against an opponent that stacked the box with eight defenders.

Gore scored on runs of 79 and 80 yards, becoming the second NFL player to have two touchdown runs of 75 or more yards in the same game.

“It’s all because of those guys up front,” Gore said. “They played great. You can see it on the film. There were lanes after lanes for me to run in and I just took advantage of them.”

Inconsistent play along the line has been an area of concern for the 49ers, who began the season with new starters in three positions along their offensive front compared to their 2008 opener.

San Francisco ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing offense last season. The 49ers allowed a franchise-record 55 sacks each of the past two years and have had problems so far this season protecting quarterback Shaun Hill, who has been sacked four times in each of the team’s first two games.

But the line seemed to settle into a groove against Seattle.

“Everything was better last week and I think it really showed,” said center Eric Heitmann, the veteran anchor of San Francisco’s line. “We took the corrections from the first week and were able to implement them.”