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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Key Stats to Watch for the Upcoming 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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2015 was not a kind year for the San Francisco 49ers, statistically, which means head coach Chip Kelly and Co. will have a lot of work to do to improve the franchise in the upcoming 2016 season. Niner Noise takes a look at 10 crucial stats in which the Niners need to show marked improvement.

Dontae Johnson 49ers
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) and wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) react before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s safe to say the 2015 San Francisco 49ers had one of the worst seasons, statistically, in recent years. The franchise was at, or near the bottom of, nearly every significant offensive and defensive category throughout the NFL.

With the 2016 season just around the corner, the Niners have a chance to turn the page on what was otherwise a forgettable year.

So, as a part of Niner Noise’s ongoing effort to preview the pending year, we break down 10 specific stats and why the 49ers to show some significant improvement in each area.

Statistics are interesting things. They’re sort of like bikinis (or speedos, if you want) — they reveal a lot, but they don’t show everything. And yet the NFL is a statistically driven league. We love stats, and it’s all too easy to compare them side by side.

But this slideshow won’t be your basic assessment of stat lines. Yes, the 49ers were bad, offensively. The team scored a lowly 238 points a year ago — last in the league. Defensively, the Niners allowed 6,199 all-purpose yards, which ranked 29th in the NFL.

OK, so those basic numbers need to improve. Everyone knows that. But let’s take a more in-depth look at other stats which, in the greater picture, will tell a larger story about what the Niners are trying to do this season.

Next: No. 10: Third-Down Conversion Rate