Niner Noise
FanSided

5 stats the San Francisco 49ers need to improve in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 17: Garrett Celek #88 and Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 17: Garrett Celek #88 and Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers turned things around nicely towards the tail end of last season, but it’s worth looking at some key stat areas needing improvement heading into 2018.

The San Francisco 49ers have to be feeling pretty good about their situation heading into 2018.

In the middle of last season, Niners fans were looking at the reality of a top-three pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Trading for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, followed by a five-game win streak to close out the regular season, now has many thinking the 49ers could seriously contend for a playoff berth this upcoming campaign.

Still, there is a lot of work left to be done.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan still has a number of holes to fill on the roster. Additionally, the level of production in many areas will need to see some serious improvement. Despite the promising 6-10 finish a year ago, the Niners ended up 20th in total offense and boasted the league’s 25th scoring defense.

Sure, a lot of that had to do with the team’s early season struggles prior to Garoppolo. Yet there are still a number of key statistical areas in which Shanahan and Co. can look to make strides.

In this slideshow, we’ll break down five specific stat categories where even modest improvement would make a big difference in 2018.