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Way Too Early 2016 Statistical Predictions for San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) rushes for a gain against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Stat Lines

Chances are if you look at the 49ers’ offensive statistics from 2015, you’ll find the team at No. 32 — or close to it — out of all 32 NFL teams.

Indeed, San Francisco was bad on offense last year. This group ranked dead last in scoring (238) and next to last in total yards gained (4,860). The 49ers had the fourth-worst passing offense with just 3,316 yards through the air, and the ground game ranked No. 21 with 1,544 yards.

Yeah, that’s pretty bad.

Head coach Chip Kelly should be able to implement a boost in these numbers. But how much of a difference will he make?

Kelly’s Eagles — despite a 7-9 record last year — still ranked No. 13 in scoring with 377 points. And they ranked one slot higher in total yards gained (5,830). Kelly’s offenses were in the top-five echelon the previous two seasons.

Expecting the Niners offense to be a top-five group is a little beyond reason right now. There isn’t enough talent to do that just yet.

But fans should expect to see a better-than modest boost out of this group as Kelly tries to build a scheme involving his own approach and molded around the talent available on the roster.

Much of this, of course, will depend on the player Kelly selects to be his quarterback. Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert or, perhaps, a rookie draftee all have chances to be the No. 1 guy this season. And the two pro veterans appear to be better fits than what Kelly had in Philadelphia (Nick Foles and Sam Bradford).

While it would be nice to see the 49ers get into the 400-plus points club in 2016, such a prediction is a little too far fetched.

Yet 350 points and 5,500 yards gained is a reasonable assumption.

Next: Defensive Stat Lines