Panthers vs. 49ers: 5 key stats to watch in Week 1

No. 4: Red-Zone Efficiency

While the 49ers ranked 29th in the NFL in total offense last season, they were actually very effective in red-zone efficiency. In 2016, San Francisco ranked second in that category, but that stat could be a little misleading.

The Niners were often trailing by more than two scores at the time, with the opposition subbing out their top players with a big lead.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is hoping his young defense can get some stops and provide a boost for his offense. Shanahan’s gameplan will include play action to the tight end, which Brian Hoyer excels at.

In fact, Hoyer has thrown 44 touchdowns in his career, 31 of which were in the red zone. His passer rating in those moments was 94.2.

The offense will need to be great in the red zone, because they lack overall talent on that side of the ball. The Niners may not have as many chances to score as other offenses in the league do, so they will need to be efficient when given the chance.

Carolina finished 12th in the same category in a year where Cam Newton and the offense struggled.

But with reciever Kelvin Benjamin, tight end Greg Olsen, Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel, the Panthers offense figures to be better in 2017.

Let’s hope the 49ers score early and often in Week 1, and their young defense can get just enough stops to come out victorious against the Panthers.