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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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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a punt against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 31: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a punt against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Special Teams

Believe it or not, the 49ers actually have one of the best special teams units in the NFL right now.

We can determine this from a number of different categories, including Football Outsiders’ defensive-value-over-average metric, which has the Niners at No. 5 through six weeks. And it doesn’t stop there.

Over the first quarter of the season, Pro Football Focus actually ranked San Francisco’s special teams No. 1 in the entire league, writing:

"One of the worst special teams units a season ago, the 49ers have turned it around with the solid play of Robbie Gould (11-of-11 on field goals), Bradley Pinion (second overall in our punting grades) and Raheem Mostert (averaging one tackle a game in coverage). Fifth-round rookie Trent Taylor has averaged a solid 11 yards per punt return through four games, and undrafted rookie Victor Bolden forced a key fumble on a kickoff return in their near comeback against Los Angeles in week 3."

Granted, kicker Robbie Gould has missed a field goal since that point, but punt returner Trent Taylor has seen his average jump up 1.5 yards.

Additionally, no team has been better on punt coverage than the Niners, allowing opponents and average of just 1.7 yards per return.

Now only if the 49ers defense can benefit from this.