Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Chiefs: Preseason Week 1 Preview

By Logan Stanley

GREENBAY, WI - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREENBAY, WI - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Week 1 by the numbers

Last season, the 49ers were one of the worst defenses in the league. In fact, their rush defense was so porous in 2016 that it finished as the third-worst in NFL history. Let’s run down the list of statistics from last year for the San Francisco defense, with data complied from Pro Football Reference:

  • Allowed 6,502 total yards (32nd in the league, nearly 300 yards more than the 31st-ranked team)
  • Gave up 480 points (that’s a staggering 30.0 ppg, good for 32nd in the league)
  • Surrendered 2,654 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns (both 32nd in the league, 400+ yards than the 31st-ranked team)
  • Teams averaged nearly 5 yards per carry versus the 49ers (4.8 yards per carry exactly, tied for 32nd)
  • Broke the record for most consecutive games allowing a 100-yard rusher (seven games)
  • Secondary gave up 30 passing touchdowns (tied for 27th)

By all accounts, the defense was abysmal. But it wasn’t just the defense that struggled. Albeit on a lesser scale, the offense was lackluster as well.

Overall, San Francisco finished with the 27th-ranked offense. While the team did end the season with the fourth most rushing yards, it was just about the only thing the 49ers could do well, and that’s only because it was force-fed by then-head coach Chip Kelly.

The passing offense was simply terrible — San Francisco quarterbacks amassed a whopping 2,911 yards passing in 2016. That ranked dead last in the NFL.