Niner Noise
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5 stats where the 49ers actually performed well in 2017

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers’ 2017 campaign has come to a close, and Niner Noise explores five key stat areas where the team actually performed well during the season.

In most cases, a 6-10 season is nothing to celebrate. But for the San Francisco 49ers, who started off 0-9, this record to close out 2017 has to feel like a monumental achievement.

Much of the difference, of course, came from starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13. Prior to that, the Niners offense was close to the bottom in nearly every category. As a result, the defense was on the field far too long, and its numbers took a hit as well.

With Garoppolo, the script flipped. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense worked, which boosted the totals and also led to a respectable defense that was rested enough to contribute.

True, the Niners still have a ways to go before showcasing a top-tier offense or defense. But the signs are certainly pointing in the right direction. And before we look forward to what the 49ers need to work on, let’s evaluate areas where the team did well in 2017.

In this slideshow, we’ll focus on five key stat areas where San Francisco finished within the top 10 of NFL teams. We’ll also break down why each is important and what it likely means going forward into 2018.

Let’s kick things off on third down.