This stat suggests San Francisco is primed for a rebound
The 49ers got off to a slow start to the 2021 season, but these defensive stats suggest they will be able to turn things around.
The San Francisco 49ers Defense ranks # 1 defensive in the NFL in permitted pass yards and # 2 in total yards surrendering five games plus the Niners bye over six weeks this year .
Since San Francisco had a free week last week and other teams don’t have this advantage, the numbers are slightly inflated. If you only look at the first five weeks of the season, the 49ers were no. 5 in overtaking anyway.
In the past three seasons, teams that finished in the top three in both categories have made it to the playoffs 100 percent. Although the Niners’ 2-3 record doesn’t reflect how adaptable this defense was due to their injuries, this unit still plays at an elite level.
Week 5 saw San Francisco face one of the league’s hottest offensives 6-0 at the Arizona Cardinals. Before facing the 49ers, the Cardinals averaged 304 yards per game and 2.5 air touchdowns.
The Cardinals would end this game with just 210 yards pass and a throwing touchdown despite taking the 17-10 win.
The Niners were able to halt the Arizona offensive by applying pressure and sticking to the receivers as Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray extended the games. The defense gave San Francisco an opportunity to beat the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team, so fans should remain optimistic that this team can move forward successfully.
49ers Secondary has developed tremendously despite injuries
The 49ers have been rotating players throughout their secondary school since starting cornerback Jason Verrett tore his ACL in the opener. Cornerbacks Josh Norman, Emmanuel Moseley and K’Waun Williams have also been beaten or injured this season.
Despite struggling to keep the core of the secondary school healthy, the Niners still have success in defending the pass.
Moseley played exceptionally well, skipping zero touchdowns during the season and leaving only 1.4 yards between him and his receiver on each goal, according to playerprofiler.com. Moseley also has a burn rate (the percentage of targets allowed where the assigned defensive back receiver gained more than 5 yards over the field) of zero percent, which the NFL tops.
Revenue is the only question mark in defense of the 49ers
While the San Francisco Defense ranks in the top five in several statistical categories, sales are not one of them. The defense played well, but has not yet produced any significant ball losses in the season.
During the season, the 49ers have only one interception and one forced fumble, which resulted in a turnover that is last in the NFL.
Defensive backs accounted for zero of the Niners’ interceptions, with the only one coming from linebacker Dre Greenlaw in Week 1. Your strength is certainly on the defensive side of the ball and the easier the defense can make it for the offense to score more points, the better.
Read more: Why Kyle Shanahan Shouldn’t Be in the Hot Chair
A positive regression should also be in store, as San Francisco’s five-game turnover rate is one of the lowest in recent seasons.
That alone could be the statistic that suggests the 49ers may be able to recover from the fighting they’ve been through lately. If the rallies get more frequent and the defense continues elsewhere, the Niners will be in a much, much better position.
The creation of ball losses should be a top priority when setting goals for defense and it would be expected that Defense Coordinator DeMeco Ryans will make this a priority in the coming weeks.
