This might be a great example of why Pro Football Focus' grades and rankings are meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
Most of us love PFF in one form or another. When their analytical grades back up our arguments, we don't hesitate to point that out. When the grades don't, the PFF folks are an easy target for the "you don't know ball" crowd.
But, in some cases, even they seem to admit their grades and ranks don't quite add up.
Such is the case with the San Francisco 49ers and their offensive line through five weeks.
Using an eye test alone, it's fair enough to admit the Niners' core of blockers isn't exactly playing at an elite level. While there are far more responsibilities involved than just those of the O-line, there's a reason San Francisco's rushing attack is tied for dead last in the league at a paltry average of just 3.1 yards per carry.
This, despite boasting an All-Pro in running back Christian McCaffrey.
Yet PFF ranks the 49ers offensive line awfully high at the conclusion of that five-week span.
Why?
PFF's ranking of 49ers offensive line makes precisely zero sense
Granted, there are few other comparable measurements for offensive linemen with regard to their effectiveness. Linemen don't churn out regularly recordable stats on a regular basis, meaning third-party analysis becomes vital.
That said, it's hard to justify PFF ranking the Niners O-line at the No. 6 overall spot out of all 32 teams heading into Week 6.
Even PFF seemed struck by the high ranking, pointing out how San Francisco's Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Rams was problematic for this group:
"The 49ers' offensive line was charged with 16 pressures allowed, including two sacks, on 49 pass plays against the Rams. Those struggles led to an 81.6 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked 22nd this week.
"Jake Brendel gave up three pressures and was beaten an additional four times against Los Angeles. He earned a 33.6 PFF pass-blocking grade — the second-lowest mark among centers this week."
So, the 49ers O-line wasn't great in pass protection, and it's already not great in run support. Yet it still ranks sixth best, no change from the previous week.
Interesting.
Perhaps the crop of O-line play around the league simply hasn't been great, aside from the handful of top-ranked teams boasting elite play from their upfront blockers. Yet most Niners fans would probably agree on San Francisco's O-line not quite passing the eye test, which also includes some notable struggles from future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams, who might be having the worst year of his otherwise legendary career -- a facet PFF even admitted by saying, "Williams has allowed pressure on 7.0% of pass plays this season, his worst rate since his rookie season."
Whatever the case is, it's hard to figure out why PFF thinks so highly of the 49ers O-line, and even the media outlet seemed to have a hard time justifying the ranking.