Niner Noise
FanSided

5 stats where the 49ers will need improvement in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers drops the ball as he is hit by Shaq Green-Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers drops the ball as he is hit by Shaq Green-Thompson #54 of the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Mack Hollins #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after completing a pass for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Mack Hollins #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after completing a pass for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Defensive Third-Down Efficiency

Opponents’ Third-Down Success Rate: 42.99 percent — 30th in the NFL

Third down wasn’t particularly kind to the 49ers on either side of the ball for most of 2017. Fortunately, Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense figured things out over the final five weeks of the year.

But that doesn’t change the fact San Francisco’s defense wasn’t particularly good on third downs.

Overall, the Niners allowed successful conversions here 42.9 percent of the time, according to Team Rankings.com, which is third worst in the league. Ironically enough, the 343 first downs the 49ers defense allowed also ranked third worst last season.

Granted, the numbers are skewed a bit from the rough offensive outings head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad had prior to Garoppolo taking over duties under center. This, in turn, put coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense into a precarious spot. His unit couldn’t get the ample rest needed, and the Niners started to get gouged late in games as their defense was simply too tired to make plays.

That’s the hand-in-glove nature of the NFL, so hopefully we’ll see some stronger defensive stands and shorter opposing drives with a more fluid and ball-controlling offense.

And as far as those critical third-down passing plays are concerned? Well, that leads us to our final stat area needing some help.