5 stats where the 49ers actually performed well in 2017
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Offensive Third-Down Efficiency
38.89 percent — 16th in the NFL
San Francisco 49ers
OK, so we’re bending the rules of our own criteria a bit, as the 49ers finished about in the middle of the pack on third downs.
Overall, the Niners ended up with a 38.89 third-down conversion rate, according to TeamRankings.com — good for 16th in the league. But if we look at the splits, after Jimmy Garoppolo’s first start against the Chicago Bears in Week 13, that number jumps up to a 35-of-70 mark over the rest of 2017.
In other words, 50 percent, which would have ranked No. 1 in the entire NFL had it stretched over 17 weeks.
A great case example was how the Niners went 10-of-15 on third downs against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 — a major reason why San Francisco was able to hang 44 points against the league’s top scoring defense, and a unit that held opponents to just over a 33-percent conversion rate in 2017.
Garoppolo’s ability to find third-down weapons, like wide receiver Trent Taylor, was crucial. And it will be a major factor in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense next year.