Stats show why 49ers offense is struggling under Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers offense hasn’t been good for the three weeks to open up the 2022 season, and these three statistics reveal some key problem areas.

The San Francisco 49ers potentially have a historically good defense a mere three games into the 2022 season.

Unfortunately, it’s being held back by an otherwise inept offense.

Granted, it’s hard to draw any grand-sweeping conclusions three games into the season, and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offenses have traditionally gotten off to slow starts.

Tack on the fact the Niners have had to undergo the unfortunate and trying transition from starting quarterback Trey Lance to the veteran reserve option, Jimmy Garoppolo, after Shanahan spent the entire offseason through the preseason grooming Lance to serve as QB1 before his season-ending Week 2 injury against the Seattle Seahawks, and there’s room to understand why things have gotten difficult.

Yet blaming Shanahan’s offensive struggles solely on going from Lance to Garoppolo doesn’t answer everything. Garoppolo’s experience within the system, combined with having a plethora of playmaking talent around him, should at least mean San Francisco’s offense would be no worse than a middle-of-the-pack bunch.

Instead, through three weeks, the 49ers have scored a total of 47 points. That’s tied for fourth worst in the NFL.

Why?

Let’s take a look at some statistical anomalies that should be concerning for Shanahan and Co.

49ers statistic No. 4: Passing touchdowns are hard to come by

The NFL is currently a pass-happy league. And while Shanahan’s offense is a run-first system still (more on that in a moment), having a quarterback find end-zone pay dirt is vital to offensive success.

And that success is proving to be awfully difficult for the Niners so far.

Three weeks into the season, San Francisco has mustered a mere two touchdowns through the air, both by Garoppolo and split between Weeks 2 and 3.

Lance tossed zero in his span of one-plus games played before his injury.

Six teams, including the 49ers, are tied for this NFL-low mark, and it’s not surprising to see the other five — the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears — all experiencing similar offensive struggles like the Niners here.

A year ago, San Francisco averaged 1.5 pass touchdowns per regular-season game, so it’s fair to conclude Shanahan’s current offense hasn’t relied too much on end-zone scores through the air.

However, averaging two-thirds of a pass touchdown per game thus far is nevertheless a troubling stat.