5 key stats that define 49ers smashing win over Rams

No. 4: 49ers dramatically improve on third-down conversions

Entering Week 10, the 49ers owned a 33.3 third-down conversion success rate, third worst in the league and only marginally ahead of the Detroit Lions (32.5 percent) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (30.3 percent).

The Niners’ time-of-possession victory over Los Angeles wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for some key third-down pickups, including some clutch grabs by wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had himself a game by every workable measure.

It helped, however, San Francisco set itself up better on first and second downs, frequently resulting in 3rd-and-short situations that were much easier to convert.

As a result, the 49ers finished the game with an 8-of-14 mark on third downs (57 percent) and also had a perfect 5-of-5 third-down success rate over the first two quarters.

Some of those failed third-down attempts weren’t bad either, including one late fourth-quarter rush attempt that was designed merely to grind down the clock when the game was all but decided anyway.

Another failed conversion led to Samuel’s 4th-and-5 catch-and-run touchdown for 40 yards:

Who needs third-down conversions when scoring touchdowns on fourth down is the end result, right?

Speaking of Samuel’s night…