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San Francisco 49ers: 5 stats where the Niners are actually good in 2017

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Running back Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Running back Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Trent Brown #77 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins during the 1st quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Pass-Blocking Efficiency

The Niners have had a little more luck getting help in run support, but the offensive line’s pass-blocking efficiency has also seen a spike in the right direction.

Granted, San Francisco has suffered 18 sacks this season, which is tied for eighth, but one can’t put this solely on the O-line. There’s a lot factoring into the mix here.

Pro Football Focus has another metric measuring what’s called pass-blocking efficiency, which measures quarterback pressures and sacks against the number of passing snaps. In 2016, the 49ers ranked 29th in this category with a PBE rating of 71.7. Fast-forward to Week 7 of this season, and the Niners are ranked 11th with a PBE of 79.8 — just a 10th of a point behind the once-vaunted Dallas Cowboys O-line.

Part of the reason has been the maturation of right tackle Trent Brown, whom Denver Broncos EDGE Von Miller called “the best right tackle” in the game right now.

Overall, it’s good to note the 49ers O-line hasn’t been quite the liability it was a year ago.