The undefeated San Francisco 49ers have certainly overachieved over the first three weeks despite a slew of devastating injuries, including the latest setback of losing All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa to a season-ending ACL tear.
While the offense and defense somehow have managed to stay ahead of the curve, the Niners' special teams crop remains a problematic work in progress.
There might be plenty to complain about regarding this unit, even in light of the not-so-surprising swap of kicker Jake Moody to Eddy Pineiro after Week 1, but let's focus on one particular area that needs a good deal of attention.
Opposing starting field position.
Through three weeks, San Francisco is dead last in the NFL in opponents' average starting field position (33.8-yard line), as you can see in the graphic below:
#NFL Kickoff Coverage #LAR and #CAR have excelled on kickoff coverage so far, forcing opponents to start at their own 21-yard line on average. The #49ers are giving up the worst starting field position in the league (33.8 yards). Maybe it’s time to adjust their strategy? https://t.co/oz3y2AfWCT pic.twitter.com/K6rzRiChhg
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 (@sfdata9ers) September 23, 2025
However, there are two major outliers from the data points: the Carolina Panthers (21.08-yard line) and the Los Angeles Rams (21.65-yard line). Both of these teams seemingly have figured out how to adjust to the NFL's rules on kickoffs.
And it's something the 49ers can begin implementing now.
49ers can use obscure tactic to solve special teams woes
The squib kick. You have this option on your EA Sports' Madden games.
A "dirty ball" kick is nothing new, but it's seemingly taking on new relevance amid kickoff rule changes, and even the Rams have openly acknowledged just how effective it's been at preventing opposing return units from having good starting field position.
Considering the ball isn't round, bounces aren't exactly predictable, forcing returners to focus more on where the ball might go rather than what they'll do with it. Sure, there's the increased risk of a ball going out of bounds for a costly penalty. But that might be a worthy tradeoff.
Judging by how L.A.'s Week 3 opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, handled the situation despite their home win, it's certainly worth a look from Niners special teams coordinator Brant Boyer's perspective.
Pineiro's, too, as he even admitted he worked on dirty-ball kicks during his previous tenure with the Panthers, who have fully embraced this approach on the young season.
Considering San Francisco's special teams unit still needs massive improvement, combined with the newfound need of taking pressure off a Bosa-less defense, any advantage that may put opposing offenses at a disadvantage should be explored.
Especially if it moves the 49ers away from being the worst in the league at something, anything.