Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Revisiting the Franchise’s NFL-Leading Week 1 Winning Streak

By Peter Panacy

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Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates with fans after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates with fans after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2015 — versus the Minnesota Vikings

49ers 20, Vikings 3

Who knew what to expect out of the 49ers entering 2015. Jim Tomsula, who had never been a coordinator at the NFL level, was now head coach. And the team was reeling from a slew of offseason retirements and free-agent departures.

Nobody told the Niners though. At least not in Week 1.

Last year’s Monday Night Football performance was thought to be running back Carlos Hyde’s coming-out party.

After all, he only rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

And who could forget this:

Week 1 last year seemed to indicate the 49ers might not be that bad after all. San Francisco’s defense even managed to hold star running back Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards. And this same unit sacked Pro Bowl-to-be quarterback Teddy Bridgewater five — yes, five — times.

Of course, we all know what happened thereafter.

This contest turned out to be the only decisive victory in San Francisco’s five-win 2015 campaign.

Hyde dealt with a nagging foot injury for the first half of the season before being sidelined for the second half.

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Tomsula’s offense finished dead last in the league with 238 points scored, and the Niners defense didn’t fare much better.

So it wasn’t a surprise to see San Francisco can its one-and-done head coach and admit the need to go through a complete overhaul of the franchise.

It’s an overhaul which can get off to a good start with a sixth-consecutive Week 1 victory in 2016.

Next: Rams vs. 49ers: 5 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.