Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 13 predictions for the 2018 season

By Jason McDuffie

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 17: A general view of the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Denver Broncos during a preseason game at Levi's Stadium on August 17, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch on his way to against the New York Giants83-yard touchdown against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch on his way to against the New York Giants83-yard touchdown against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 7: The Offense Will Make Massive Strides

Over the last couple of seasons, the 49ers have been almost without a functional offense. Each time San Francisco’s defense forces a turnover, it is then the offense’s turn to take advantage and put some points on the board.

Obviously, this has not happened lately. In 2015, the Niners ranked 22nd worst in 3-and-out drive percentage (24.18). It was worse in 2016 with San Francisco ranking next to last in this same category (29.95).

For a descriptive analysis, I would refer to these efforts as “limp and disenchanted.”

But things turned around last year, particularly in the second half. And this will turn around even more this year, as a young and hungry group of players huddle around Jimmy Garoppolo.