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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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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) throws a pass during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) throws a pass during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Fourth-Quarter Passing Efforts

2015 Fourth-Quarter Passer Rating/Completion Percentage: 80.9/57.8

Barring a complete miracle, the 49ers are still likely to be trailing late in ballgames this season. But if the previously noted stats are a little better, the chances of staging a comeback might be a little better than they were in 2015.

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) look on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) look on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year, 49ers quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick combined for a late-game, fourth-quarter completion percentage of just 57.8 percent — lowest out of all four quarters.

San Francisco attempted 166 passes on 273 fourth-quarter plays and completed just 96 of them.

Against three fourth-quarter interceptions, the 49ers managed to score six passing touchdowns. So that’s not too bad. But Niners QBs also suffered a whopping 19 sacks in the final quarter of regulation — also the worst number in any quarter.

Kaepernick was slightly better than Gabbert in fourth-quarter situations last year. The former posted a 91.3 passer rating, compared to Gabbert’s 78.0. And two of those three interceptions late in games fell on Gabbert’s shoulders.

This isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for Kaepernick though.

Instead, whoever starts under center for the 49ers will have to prove his value in one area where San Francisco has been awful in recent seasons — the red zone.

Next: No. 1: Offensive Red-Zone Efficency